The MatchMaker makes a mark - 22 October 2009
For most sheep breeders, the annual ritual of working out ‘who is whose’ is a vital yet laborious and costly exercise.
Yet technology can now step in and automatically match lambs to their mums, in the paddock, and provide full pedigree information at a click.
For many breeders, the advent of
Pedigree MatchMaker technology is a blessing: costs are reduced, accuracy is high and the information collected can be used in additional ways.
For NSW South west slopes based Merino breeder, Rick Baldwin, it was a clear and simple progression. "We started using electronic (RFID) ear tags four years ago, and quickly moved on to the MatchMaker.
"We’re always looking to increase the scale of the enterprise and reducing labour costs; this tool allows us to automatically collect information on ewes and their lambs, out in the paddock, every day."
Electronic Tags are revolutionising the quantity and quality of data without increasing labour requirements
The system records the identity of ewes and lambs via their e-tags in time-order as they pass a reader in the paddock, then links lambs and ewes according to how often a particular lamb follows a particular ewe. The system was developed and refined by Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW) and Sheep CRC researchers, as well as Mark Mortimer of the CentrePlus Stud, Tullamore. To read more download the press release.
CJ Hawkins Homestead, University of New England, Armidale NSW 2351