Clever ideas and innovations that have been incorporated into day-to-day feedlot operations have been entered into the ALFA Innovation Competition 2023, proudly supported by Integrated Animal Production (IAP).
The winner and runner-up will be determined by popular vote and announced at SmartBeef23, held in Tamworth on 11-12 October.
To vote for your favourite entry, simply click the 'heart' button on the post (this indicates a like i.e. vote). 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 July 10 - September 22. The decision made will be final.
Five Star Beef Feedlot's 'Safer Post Mortem tool'
What's the issue/challenge?
Current practice to extract brain samples from cattle to help diagnose health issues is for an instrument like an axe to be used. We have found this tool to be difficult to use in this task and can pose a significant personal safety risk to the user.
How does the innovation/idea work?
Our innovative idea involves using a hole saw on a battery-powered drill. We have found this to be a much safer option when conducting a postmortem, as it greatly removes the risk of personal injury.
We have had great success in sharing the innovation with others, including Dr. Kev Sullivan who in fact now uses an adaptation of our method himself, along with other feedlots he works with implementing the safer practice on site.
Cost of Innovation:
approx. $400
The winning innovation will be selected ‘by popular vote’ and announced during SmartBeef23.
To vote for your favourite entry, simply click the 'heart' button on the post (this indicates a like i.e. vote). 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 July 10 - September 22. The decision made will be final.
With thanks to our long-term supporter of this award, Integrated Animal Production (IAP)
