A better view of your animals

Easier access to animal performance data and the ability to easily monitor and edit this data is becoming increasingly important as producers face ever increasing demands on their time.

Better data and easier ways to use it also allow for better management decisions.

Gallagher has recently released a significant software update for its TW/TWR range of weigh scales and Animal Performance cloudbased software that improve the already great offering.

“The range of updates to our software will provide a variety of new measures, allowing users to more easily, and more comprehensively, manage their animal performance and traceability,”

Gallagher business development manager for animal performance and traceability Mike Hemsley said.

Better data and easier access to that data is essential for livestock producers.

Mike said he was particularly excited about the benefits for producers from new features such as having a full animal history available on their mobile phone. This brings a level of flexibility not previously available.

The combination of these features makes the cloud application and TW/TWR range more powerful than ever, providing enhanced tools for producers to manage traceability and animal performance.

The continuing evolution of tools within the suite of products and software is indicative of the new name for this category, ‘Animal

Run by farmers for farmers

Farmer Little works with freerange farmers every step of the way — from creating and establishing farms, to growing their farms into sustainable enterprises.

Run by farmers for farmers, Farmer Little is a poultry industry leader and offers expertise and quality products assisting free-range and barnlaid farmers to achieve results across Australia.

By working closely with manufacturers and suppliers across Australia and around the world, Farmer Little brings state-of-the-art technology and farming equipment to the market — at competitive prices. It offers the the largest display of nest boxes in Australia as well as an extensive range of feeders, drinkers and electric fences — ideal for backyard chooks through to farmers with thousands of chickens producing free-range and barn-laid eggs. Also available are vaccines, medications and health products, as well as a range of Bellsouth products.

The friendly staff can also discuss Farmer Little’s fully compliant mobile shed, suitable for 1200 birds for free-range enterprises, as well as Farmer Little’s unique egg washing, handling and transport systems.

For anyone interested in sustainability, self-sufficiency, running a small-scale farm or just enjoying the benefits of growing their own delicious free-range produce, then Farmer Little is here to help.

Performance and Traceability’, that replaces the former name of ‘Weighing and Electronic Identification’.

Mike said as this segment had evolved over the years, it had moved beyond just weighing and tracking EIDs, to providing the ability to record and monitor many variable animal performance traits.

It provides a rich history of the performance of animals and tools to make better animal management decisions.

The new name of ‘Animal Performance and Traceability’ better reflected both what the hardware and software suite could do and the development of future features, Mike said.

This category is aimed at helping producers make easier and betterinformed decisions in their livestock operations.

“Gallagher is committed to supporting our customers with smarter, simpler solutions that make farm life easier and more profitable,” Mike said.

“We’re working with our reseller partners to solve problems in smarter ways, integrating data, and making an impact for end users.”

For curiosity that never bores, breeding the popular Boer goat is "very rewarding", according to stud owners Bruce and Carol McKenzie.

Embrace your self-sufficiency

Local self-sufficiency magazine

Grass Roots comes to the Seymour Alternative Farming Expo with perhaps the most comprehensive publication that embraces the entire culture of alternative farming.

The magazine’s display is considered an ‘old hand’ at each year’s expo and the publication’s motto — ‘sustainability and selfreliance no matter where you are’ — headlines good reading for enthusiasts of home-grown produce, regardless of their project size.

“The expo is a great place to catch up with those involved in sustainability or who have tried self-sufficiency,” editor and writer Megg Miller said.

Megg has many interests in the culture of sustainable and

Boers never bore

Bruce and Carol McKenzie will share their knowledge of raising goats at this year’s expo, from their experience of four years operating their Culcairn stud, Cleveland Boer Goats.

Their 250-head enterprise breeds for two markets.

“We provide stud services for full-blooded Boer goats,” Bruce said.

“As well as that, we provide bucks for the commercial sector to run with Rangeland goats to produce more meat on their stock.”

Bruce believes goats are unique animals and far more inquisitive than other livestock.

“They are nothing like other animals,” he said.

“They are more like a dog than a sheep, particularly the way they wag their tail when they’re happy.

“We have one that was raised by having a kiss on her nose every day.

“But we just give her a pat.”

Bruce will give a presentation on the Saturday and Sunday, introducing the potential of owning goats.

“We will inform on how to care for them, some of the issues to be faced, pitfalls, nutrition and health management.

“And people should know that once goats are fencetrained, they are easy to contain.”

Goat owners on small properties are always grateful for advice on hoof trimming, as many goats are kept on soft ground with insufficient rocks that would normally keep their hooves suitably worn down.

“People who are thinking about getting into goats need to know that they are great to own,” Bruce said. “They’re very rewarding.” organic farming and rejoices in the growing number of younger people wanting to get into selfsufficiency.

“If more people get involved, it’s going to be a much better world,” she said.

“There is so much that overlaps in alternative farming; it’s almost symbiotic.

“People don’t have to be obsessive about it, but to cook food they have produced themselves is satisfying; much like how people have returned to retrofitting their wardrobe from op shops.”

Also for sale will be back copies of the popular magazine, which are always in demand and are written by a range of enduring writers.