Tablet app taps into feedlot livestock management

With measuring feed conversion essential for any profitable feed-lot enterprise, recently developed data software looks to provide the appropriate checks and balances.

Leading software from Toowoomaba-based Elynx is managing about 90 per cent of Australia’s biggest feedlots and more than 10,000 head of WA cattle as it delivers on many levels for feedlot operations.

WA-based Elynx product development manager Hayley Roseby said the company’s software packages tracked millions of animals each year.

“In our 20-year history, we’ve continually upgraded our software,” she said.

“In recent years, we have created our flagship StockMate product, which is suitable for graziers, backgrounders and feedlotters. It’s an advanced electronic paddock book and allows add-ons to suit with modules for financials, inventory, feeding, accounts and breeding plus many others.”

The grazing and backgrounding tool is a mobile tablet-based app for livestock management.

Farmers can record data for individual animals and whole mobs, including weight, treatments, history and animal data, as well as daily weight gain.

At the Rogers family’s Kylagh Feedlot, at Tammin, data support systems used build confidence and improve cattle welfare and profitability.

Kylagh owner Ivan Rogers uses Elynx’s StockaID software to capture data in the yards, monitoring the feeding regime and the animals’ environment.

“We measure the facility functionality, water quality and available energy use,” he said.

“We also measure labour application towards an ultimate revenue and expense analysis of cattle performance. Software is a great way to analyse data.”

Mr Rogers said the data produced weekly reports, which gave the Kylagh staff insights into the cattle’s performance.

“This process keeps Kylagh informed to deliver improved business intelligence,” he said.

“Our vision strategy is on profitability through analysis of cattle occupancy, feed costs and labour to deliver value to our clients.”

Mr Rogers said software analysis reporting kept feedlot clients informed and could be made available for regulatory requirements.