Sheep Electronic Identificationp

Nathan ScottMike Stephens & Associates

Livestock ProductionLivestock Production

GeneticsGenetics

AnimalAnimalManagement

S il F tilit

Pasture Quality

Soil Fertility

Livestock ProductionLivestock Production

GeneticsGenetics

AnimalAnimalManagementAnimal

PerformanceS il F tilit

Pasture QualityPerformanceSoil Fertility

What isn’t Electronic ID?What isn t Electronic ID?

It’s not a silver bullet

It’s not auto-drafters

It’s not all about equipment

It doesn’t have to cost the earth

What is Electronic ID?What is Electronic ID?

A f t ti t lA fantastic tool

Part of a complete management system

The most exciting development in the g psheep industry?

I di id l A i l M tIndividual Animal ManagementConsider the following….

Poor Performers Average Performers Superior Performers

One Year Old Ewes

Traditional Mob Based Selection

One Year Old Ewes

Two Year Old Ewes

Three Year Old Ewes

Four Year Old Ewes

Five Year Old Ewes Poor Performers Average Performers Superior Performers

Six Year Old EwesCULLED

One Year Old Ewes

Individual Animal Selection

Two Year Old EwesOne Year Old Ewes

CULLED

Three Year Old Ewes

Four Year Old Ewes

Five Year Old EwesPoor Performers Average Performers Superior Performers

Six Year Old EwesSix Year Old Ewes

CULLED

Seven Year Old EwesCULLED

One Year Old Ewes One Year Old Ewes

Traditional Mob Based Selection Individual Animal Selection

One Year Old Ewes

Two Year Old EwesTwo Year Old Ewes

One Year Old Ewes CULLED

Three Year Old Ewes Three Year Old Ewes

Poor perform

Poor performers

culled as early

Four Year Old Ewes Four Year Old Ewes

mers retained

culled as early as possible

Five Year Old Ewes Five Year Old Ewes

d throughout

Six Year Old EwesCULLED

Six Year Old EwesSix Year Old Ewes

CULLED

t

Superior

Seven Year Old EwesCULLED

Superior performers

retained longer

Poor Performers Average Performers Superior Performers

Table 1.1: Spread of Variability within a Merino Flock

Production level of flock:

Trait Top 25% Average Bottom 25%

Wool Traits:

Clean Fleece Weight (kg) 5 3 4 6 3 9Clean Fleece Weight (kg) 5.3 4.6 3.9

Fibre Diameter (µm) 18.9

35

20.4 21.9

St l St th (N/kt ) 42 35 28Staple Strength (N/ktex) 42 35 28

Meat Traits:

Growth rate (g/day) 357 284 200

Fat depth (mm) 8.9 10.6 12.5

Reproduction:

Lambs weaned per ewe joined 1 43 0 86 0 28Lambs weaned per ewe joined 1.43 0.86 0.28

Profitability traits:

Fleece value per ewe ($) 82 54 37

Carcase value per ewe ($) 56 33 12

Source: Atkins, Richards and Semple 2006

There is a large variation in the characteristics of i di id l h i hi fl kindividual sheep within a flock

23

24

21

22

23$33

20

21

Mic

ron

18

19

16

17

5 5 6 5 7 5 8 5 9 5 10 5 11 5

$84

5.5 6.5 7.5 8.5 9.5 10.5 11.5GFW

Table 1.1: Spread of Variability within a Merino Flock

Production level of flock:

Trait Top 25% Average Bottom 25%

Wool Traits:

Clean Fleece Weight (kg) 5 3 4 6 3 9Clean Fleece Weight (kg) 5.3 4.6 3.9

Fibre Diameter (µm) 18.9

35

20.4 21.9

St l St th (N/kt ) 42 35 28Staple Strength (N/ktex) 42 35 28

Meat Traits:

Growth rate (g/day) 357 284 200

Fat depth (mm) 8.9 10.6 12.5

Reproduction:

Lambs weaned per ewe joined 1 43 0 86 0 28Lambs weaned per ewe joined 1.43 0.86 0.28

Profitability traits:

Fleece value per ewe ($) 82 54 37

Carcase value per ewe ($) 56 33 12

Source: Atkins, Richards and Semple 2006

Table 1.2: Cost benefit of using eID rather than visual tags in the collection of sheep body weights at two different operations

Centre Plus Merino Stud CT Sire EvaluationCollecting Weights only Collecting weights and data

cleaningVi l T RFID Vi l T RFIDVisual Tags RFID Visual Tags RFID

No of sheep 700 700 600 600

No of labour units 3 2 3 2

No of man hours 11.67 4.67 13.5 3

Total cost $466.80 $186.80 $540 $120

Cost/weight recorded $0.67 $0.27 $0.90 $0.20g $ $ $ $

Estimated error rate 5% 0.05%

No of corrections 30 0.3

Ti / 0 1 1Time/error 0.1 .1

Hourly rate for data management

$80 $80

Cost of time for tag $240 $2 40Cost of time for tag correction

$240 $2.40

Cost/unit correct data $1.30 $0.20

Why use eID?Why use eID?

• More AccurateMore Accurate

• Easier

• Faster

• More likely to happen!

Tags• Shearwell Tag

• Allflex Tag

• Leader Tags• Leader Tags

Tag Readers

• Stick & Panel ReadersStick & Panel Readers

• Which reader to use?

d h k?• How do they work?

• What’s New???

New ProductsNew Products

<Shearwell Reader in action>

Tag Readers

• Stick & Panel ReadersStick & Panel Readers

• Which reader to use?

d h k?• How do they work?

FOR OPTIMUM PERFORMANCEFOR OPTIMUM PERFORMANCEDO NOT MOUNT ON STEEL

IndicatorsIndicators

• Used to record weights and gcollect data

• Horses for courses

• Know your needsy

• Know your options

• PLEASE read the manual.

Computers & TabletsComputers & Tablets

Bar Code Printers & ScannersBar Code Printers & Scanners

Weigh Crates & AutodraftersWeigh Crates & Autodrafters

• Used to record weightsUsed to record weights

• Auto drafting

b S i• Labour Savings

• Cost

• Regularity of use

• Power/Air SupplyPower/Air Supply

• Maneuverability

New ProductsNew Products

Sheep HandlersSheep Handlers

• Designed to combineDesigned to combine multiple tasks

• Autodrafting• Autodrafting

• Can be loud

• Maneuverability

CompatibilityCompatibility

• Common language between autodraftersg g

• Ultrasound equipment

Data CollectionData Collection• Data collection costs money!

• No point collecting data unless you use it

• Anything measured objectively or subjectively can be recorded against an individual animal

• The more data you collect the more difficult it is to managemanage

• Only collect data that will add value to your enterprise.

What Data?• Individual body weights

• Fleece weightsFleece weights

• Fleece testing

• Fat & eye muscle scanningFat & eye muscle scanning

• Visual sheep classing & assessment

• Pregnancy scanning• Pregnancy scanning

• Animal health records

WEC• WEC

• Treatments

• Stock auditing

• Pedigree MatchMaker

What is Pedigree MatchMaker?

•Uses eID tags in ewes & lambs

•Sequence of tags used to predict pedigreeSequence of tags used to predict pedigree

•Estimates associations between ewe and their lambs

Low cost, low labour method of recording maternal pedigree

Source: Sheep CRC

Equipment Setup

• Setup does not need to be elaborate

N h l l d i b• Note the panel panel mounted on timber

How much variation is there really?How much variation is there really?

• HM Prison Langi Kal Kal – Beaufort

• Composite ewes – Twin Bearing Mob

• Very good ewe condition & pasture quality

Litter Weight WeanedPedigree MatchMaker

+ Individual weaning weight (100 days)

=Litt W i ht W dLitter Weight Weaned

•Fertilityy• Number of lambs born• Lamb survival• Lactation• Lactation• Lamb Growth

Effective composite trait selectionG. D. SnowderA and N. M. Fogarty B,C

E EID E W i htKg/Lamb/W d

Ewe Efficiency @ day of

i hiEwe EID Ewe Weight Weaned weighing940 110000469297 73 121.5 166%940 110000466143 92 139.5 152%940 110000469881 82 115.5 141%940 110000469881 82 115.5 141%940 110000444045 97 122 126%940 110000469887 85 90.5 106%940 110000466017 88 92 105%940 110000468977 88 90 102%940 110000468977 88 90 102%940 110000466092 92.5 89.5 97%940 110000461733 90 85.5 95%940 110000469426 88.5 84 95%940 110000469426 88.5 84 95%940 110000466618 99.5 93 93%940 110000465500 87 45 52%940 110000464163 83.5 42 50%940 110000466769 93.5 45.5 49%940 110000466420 87 42 48%940 110000468571 101 46.5 46%940 110000464476 95 43 5 46%940 110000464476 95 43.5 46%940 110000461169 103.5 47 45%

Total 2346 1947 83%

E EID E W i htKg/Lamb/W d

Ewe Efficiency @ day of

i hiEwe EID Ewe Weight Weaned weighing940 110000469297 73 121.5 166%940 110000466143 92 139.5 152%940 110000469881 82 115.5 141%940 110000469881 82 115.5 141%940 110000444045 97 122 126%940 110000469887 85 90.5 106%940 110000466017 88 92 105%940 110000468977 88 90 102%940 110000468977 88 90 102%940 110000466092 92.5 89.5 97%940 110000461733 90 85.5 95%940 110000469426 88.5 84 95%940 110000469426 88.5 84 95%940 110000466618 99.5 93 93%940 110000465500 87 45 52%940 110000464163 83.5 42 50%940 110000466769 93.5 45.5 49%940 110000466420 87 42 48%940 110000468571 101 46.5 46%940 110000464476 95 43 5 46%940 110000464476 95 43.5 46%940 110000461169 103.5 47 45%

Total 2346 1947 83%

The Top 3The Top 3

Ewe EID Ewe Weight Kg/Lamb/Weaned

Ewe Efficiency @ day of weighing

940 110000469297 73 121.5 166%940 110000466143 92 139.5 152%940 110000469881 82 115.5 141%

Now that is efficient!Now that is efficient!

The WorstThe Worst

• Scanned with MultiplesScanned with Multiples…….

d 3 C di i• At day 113 – Condition score 4.5

• 121kg Liveweight

• Zero Lambs………….

Litter Weight Weaned

•Fertility• Number of lambs born• Number of lambs born• Lamb survival• Lactation• Lamb Growth

On a larger scaleOn a larger scale

• 520 Ewes with 780 Lambs at foot

• At day 85 – Range in kilograms of lamb weaned per ewe of 24 1 115 7ewe of 24.1 – 115.7

• Growth rates can be estimated. Highest were in the range 540-560g/day. Achieved by a single, twin, and a triplet.

• Comparison of sires possible

Walk Over WeighingWalk Over Weighing

• Remote weighing system• Remote weighing system

• Sheep weigh themselves

• Requires data analysis

• Requires animal trainingq g

Data ManagementData Management

• The most important part of your EID system• The most important part of your EID system

• Without effective data management data• Without effective data management, data collected is of little use.

• Dedicated software designed to help you get the best out of your EID systemy y

• You don’t have to manage data yourself.You don t have to manage data yourself.

The collection of data is aThe collection of data is a complete waste of time and p

money….

unless you use it!

Contractor ServicesContractor Services

• Do you need to buy your own equipment?Do you need to buy your own equipment?

• How often will you use it?

• Do you want to manage your own data?

• Is there a contractor in your area?

• Start with the basics!

Sheep Pro - Mark Jenkinson - 0428 386 924

Get the most out of h h lthe technology

2 Full Day Sessions

Content Summary• Breeding objective• Breeding objective• Data to collect• Equipment required• How RFID works• Data management • Actually using datay g

eID Supply ChaineID Supply Chain

Peter Walsh

48

Tracking SystemsTracking Systems

++ ++

49

The Big Question????

What role can EID play withinWhat role can EID play within your business?

P di M hM k C l iPedigree MatchMaker Conclusions

Simple Equipment

Training & preparation is crucialTraining & preparation is crucial

All about sheep flowQuestions?Not just for studs

Questions?

The equipment and set up is simple, it is just all about sheep flow!

Accuracy of ResultsAccuracy of Results

MS&A Trial - 2010• Reliability one – 95.5% of paddock matching

• Reliability two – 95.1% of paddock matching

• Reliability three – 86.8% of paddock matching

Accuracy of ResultsAccuracy of Results

MS&A Trial - 2010• Reliability one – 95.5% of paddock matching

• Reliability two – 95.1% of paddock matching

• Reliability three – 86.8% of paddock matching

Vic DPI DNA comparison - 2010