AUSTRALIA’S DIGITAL LIVESTOCK TRACKING TRANSITION – WHY?
One of the most important and critical developments in the Australian Livestock Industry is the transition from ‘paper based’ NVD’s or waybills to digital eNVD’s for vendor consignments.
Digital Tracking of livestock including Sheep Cattle and Goats from farm and right through the value chain gives stakeholders including livestock producers, transport operators, saleyard owners and agents, abattoirs and feedlots instant access to consignment data of each load at any point at any time.
As an industry it is essential that we use this technology, which is now available as the alternative to inaction could be devastating for the following reasons:
- Biosecurity
- Theft
- Consignment Value
- Record Keeping of Data
- Animal Welfare and OH&S
Biosecurity – Australia faces a threat from Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) . The virus has been found in Bali one of our closest neighbours. If FMD gets into Australia, the industry could shut down overnight, infected animals would be destroyed, exports would be banned and tracking ALL animals will be critical. Paper records would be woefully inadequate, so FMD is a ‘ticking timebomb’ we must act now.
Theft – As livestock values increase so does theft. Digital records are much harder to manipulate plus theft alerts can be incorporated into the software.
Consignment Value – Average loads of sheep and cattle are valued in the $10s of thousands, vendors, agents and purchasers need to know where they are at all times and when delivered the carrier, numbers and EID’s are correct.
Record Keeping of Data– Digital records are much easier to store and retrieve than paper and can be held in the ‘cloud’ for month’s if needed.
Animal Welfare and OH&S– Cameras placed at loading and unloading ramps can easily detect injured or sick animals when delivered and dangerous practises while loading and unloading animals.
