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.
Grassdale Feedlot's 'Wag Flag' Innovation
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5bcc7b_74057eca2d1046f9ac3cb2973f710604~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1224,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5bcc7b_74057eca2d1046f9ac3cb2973f710604~mv2.jpg)
What is your innovation?
Our innovation is simply a manoeuvrable flag which is attached to the front of the bunk scanner vehicle. The flag encourages cattle to move away from the fence for the scanner to safely make its way over the feed bunk without disruption or impact.
The flag is mounted onto a spring so that it can gently bounce off any cattle which may be less responsive to its fluorescent appearance.
The flag can be easily folded down to be parallel to the scanner for use, and then folded vertically when not in use.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5bcc7b_5ac8145a873044f68fbb554bc5d76d85~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_980,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5bcc7b_5ac8145a873044f68fbb554bc5d76d85~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/5bcc7b_e215c7899314450b958c29cd5e9fd0b6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1386,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/5bcc7b_e215c7899314450b958c29cd5e9fd0b6~mv2.jpg)
How does the innovation/idea work?
The Wag Flag came to fruition shortly after Grassdale started using the bunk scanner.
The flag was a collaborative idea between the feeding and maintenance teams to prevent cattle, particularly the big Wagyus, from making contact with the scanner whilst its hovering over the feed bunks.
We needed a method to prevent damage to the scanner that would be easy to implement without effecting the functionality of the scanner or the vehicle its mounted to.
Cost of Innovation:
$300
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)
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