Electronic identification gives sheep producer ongoing financial returns

eartag-8Implementing electronic identification (eID) and individual measurement has delivered both immediate and ongoing financial returns for Geurie, NSW, sheep producer, Eric Harvey.

The eID system allowed him to quickly identify high and low performing animals, with subsequent culling improving the overall flock value by $4/head.

Mr Harvey said this equated to a 35% return on his $7,850 investment in eID equipment and software, which will pay for themselves within three years.

“That return is just from the benefits of improved culling decisions,” Mr Harvey said. “We anticipate that using the equipment throughout the year to monitor things like live-weight, condition score and pregnancy status, will produce further benefits and reduce the payback period.”

The Harvey family operates Gilgai Farms which carries a fine/superfine Merino flock and a Simmental beef herd on 2,800 hectares.

The Harveys had been visually selecting, micron testing and fleece weighing their hoggets for 15 years but were looking for the next productivity leap for their Merino flock.

In a trial supported by the Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation (Sheep CRC) and Meat & Livestock Australia’s Producer Demonstration Site program, they were able to test eID technology to measure individual animal performance and profitability.