A lack of clear and consistent livestock classifications for extensive cattle businesses contributes to an imprecise understanding of herd numbers and herd performance. In working with hundreds of beef businesses across Australia, we’ve found that it is major challenge for many producers to accurately reconcile their herd numbers over time. This makes it hard for them to truly understand the performance of their herd and business.
Getting accurate herd numbers is not easy; not getting clean musters, fence crawlers and unknown deaths are all contributing factors. However, the problem is exacerbated by inconsistent and ambiguous herd classifications.
We need to get better at this as an industry. Not having accurate and reconciled herd numbers means that herd productivity estimates are not accurate and usually overestimated. Also, like it or not, as an industry we’re going to be under increasing scrutiny over livestock numbers and their performance.
To address this, Bush AgriBusiness has drafted Herd Classification Guidelines. To access the guidelines, please click the button below.
