Clever ideas and innovations that have been incorporated into day-to-day feedlot operations are encouraged to enter the ALFA Innovation Competition, proudly supported by Integrated Animal Production (IAP).
The winner and runner-up will be determined by popular vote and announced at BeefEx, held in Brisbane on 15-17 October 2024.
To vote for your favourite entry, simply click the 'heart' button on the post (this indicates a like i.e. vote). The top four most 'hearted' entries will be offered a complimentary full delegate ticket to attend BeefEx 2024.
The entry with the most votes will be announced as the winner. The entry with the second highest will be awarded the runner up. Voting is open from August 10 - September 23. The decision made will be final.
Aronui Feedlot's 'Cattle Scratcher 2000' Innovation
What is your innovation?
We are dedicated to enhancing animal welfare and ensuring our cattle lead happy, fulfilling lives. Feedlot Enrichment is a key advancement in our efforts to elevate animal welfare standards within feedlots. Enrichment tools, such as brushes, offer significant benefits by encouraging positive interactions and behaviours, as demonstrated in previous trials.
These devices have proven to engage cattle effectively and foster better behavioural outcomes. We have put 2 of these devices in selected pens and the engagement with them has been fantastic. We are now creating more and adding them to more pens..
How does the innovation/idea work?
Our latest innovation provides the ability for animals to express their natural grooming and scratching behaviour within a feedlot.
We have also focused on sustainability in their creation, specifically circularity—recycling old materials to create new enrichment tools.
By continually refining our approach and utilising recycled resources, we aim to enhance the well-being of our cattle while promoting environmental responsibility.
Cost of Innovation:
The materials were mostly free. The brushes are old bunk brushes that had been put into the dump. The tyres are old tyres that were also to be dumped. The only part that wasn’t recycled was the steel pole the device sits on
Decided by popular vote, the top four most popular innovations will receive a full delegate ticket to BeefEx 2024 in Brisbane this October. The overall winner and runner up will be announced at BeefEx, receiving a prize of $2,500 and $1,000 respectively.
Vote for your favourite innovation!
To vote for your favourite entry, simply click the 'heart' button on the post (this indicates a like i.e. vote). The top four most 'hearted' entries will be offered a complimentary full delegate ticket to attend BeefEx 2024.
The entry with the most votes will be announced as the winner. The entry with the second highest will be awarded the runner up. Voting is open from August 10 - September 23. The decision made will be final.
With thanks to our long-term supporter of this award, Integrated Animal Production (IAP)
