Data driven decisions boosts productivity and profitability for Gulf Graziers

The Gulf Savannah region in North Queensland is a place of wide-open woodlands, historic cattle stations, and generations of families who know every inch of this rugged country.

But managing a beef herd across vast, remote landscapes comes with its challenges — and sometimes, what you can’t see on paper can make or break a business.

At Ooralat Station in North Queensland, Shelley and Kevin Taylor are turning to data to help them tackle these hidden challenges. It’s giving them the confidence to make smarter calls for their herd and their business — even when the weather keeps them guessing.

Sharing what works, locally

Gulf Savannahs NRM is helping graziers like the Taylors unlock the value of agritech, and the data it generates by showing them how to make it work in the real world.

The Data for the Future Showcase Tour, brought together a group of 20 cattle graziers from far North Queensland to see firsthand how graziers in the region were collecting and using livestock data to make better informed decisions in their businesses.

Led by Keerah Steele, Technical Adoption Officer with Gulf Savannah NRM the two day two combined practical demonstrations at Abingdon Station with hands on Farm Technology planning workshops to help graziers implement technology into their individual businesses.

“We took graziers out to Abingdon Station to highlight how they’re using data within their business effectively. On the second day graziers were guided through how to use data themselves and start implementing it into their own businesses,” said Keerah.

Small changes, big impact

Shelley and Kevin know the value of keeping an eye on their herd. Running around 1,200 Droughmaster and Brahman breeders across 14,500 hectares, they’d long relied on visual checks and experience to guide decisions. But as they learned more about Genetic Breeding Values during the tour, they saw how a few simple numbers could take the guesswork out of their breeding strategy.

“We were at a stage where visually we could see what was happening with their herd, but we wanted to take that next step,”  said Shelley.

“We’ve kept a few bulls of our own and looked at the GBV, particularly around improving our heifers and breeding bulls. The data we could get from that looked like the right path forward for us.” said Shelley.

While the Taylors were already considering investing in weighing scales, the opportunity to see how other producers made them work gave the Taylors confidence to choose a set up that would suit their operation.

Since investing in scales, the Taylors have used the scales to refine their weaning program, particularly during dry years when feed is limited and more precise management is required.

“In a dry year, we might pull the calves off a little bit earlier, instead of pulling them off at 220 kilograms, we might pull them off at 180 or lighter if it hasn’t rained at all,” Kevin said.

They have also begun growing their own hay and with the use of scales they can monitor animal performance to determine if what they’re feeding is efficient.

“We’ve been able to do a lot of trials with different types of forage sorghum, to see if the feed is efficient,” said Kevin.

The Taylors are optimistic about the future of data collection to continue improving their business productivity and profitability.

“I think we’re only really just scraping the surface,” said Kevin.

“Instead of storing everything in my head and guessing, that information can now be collected and stored so we can make well informed decisions based on how the cattle are performing.”

Tech that makes sense for the bush

Keerah knows technology isn’t always a silver bullet, it has to be practical. That’s why she spends time out on farm working closely with graziers to fund solutions that make sense for their property and business.

“Remote water monitoring has been a game changer here,” said Keerah. “And improved internet connectivity means graziers to do the things that people in the city take for granted. That is pretty significant in this part of the world.”

For many, the biggest barrier is confidence, knowing what is worth the investment and how to use it day to day.

“Technology has improved rapidly, and it is evolving a lot quicker than what it’s been adopted,” explained Keerah.

“However, the more we talk about it and showcase it, the more people are using it and benefiting from it.”

Looking ahead

Back at Ooralat Station, Shelley and Kevin say the chance to be part of the project has opened their eyes to what’s possible.

“The information that groups like Keerah’s provides is invaluable,” said Shelley. “You can read about it, but until you’re out there experiencing it, you don’t really understand the potential.”

For Keerah, it all comes down to local solutions and local support. The combination of seeing technology first hand, workshops, resources like the Producers Guide to data collection and one on one engagement has been critical in the adoption of this technology within the region.

In the future Keerah would like to run more workshops to showcase to graziers what new technology is available. “Every farm is different and everyone’s on a different journey,” she said.

“Having the opportunity to get to know them and help them progress is going to make things much more sustainable into the future, particularly given the changing climate and variability they are facing,” said Keerah.

Graziers in the Gulf Savannah region who are interested in learning more about data collection technology can visit Gulf Savannah NRM website.