Press Release

Dalby Saleyards All Set for NLIS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2005, Brisbane Australia

AFTER its second successful ‘dress rehearsal’ for compulsory National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) cattle scanning this week, the Dalby Wambo Saleyards Board has declared the selling centre ready for the July 1 deadline.

Paul Smith, Dalby Wambo Saleyards Board Chief Executive Officer, said the Board had chosen highly experienced entity Livestock Link – a partnership between AgInfoLink and Livestock Exchange – to operate the scanning and data management system.

“The Board had the option of doing the scanning ourselves or engaging contract scanners so we put the contract out for expressions of interest,” Mr Smith said.

“AgInfoLink came in at the best price and also offered a wealth of experience in electronic animal identification. They’ve been doing scanning down in NSW for a period of time so they know what they’re doing.

“They’ve also linked up with Livestock Exchange which runs the software that our saleyards operates on so we believe we have accessed experienced scanners and the right people in the right place as far as software goes.”

Dalby Wambo Saleyards put through close to 230,000 cattle last year and sells about 4500 head at its sale each Wednesday. The selling centre’s central location and proximity to grain areas and feedlots makes it a popular destination for both vendors and buyers.

Eight livestock agencies sell cattle at Dalby Wambo saleyards and Mr Smith said the successful preparation for NLIS was a testament to the strong working relationship between the Board and Dalby Livestock  Agents Association.

Tom Newsome, AgInfoLink National Manager, said Livestock Link had won contracts to provide a complete NLIS compliance and contract scanning service to southern Queensland saleyards including Dalby Wambo, Landmark Toowoomba, Toogoolawah, Beaudesert, Moreton, and Murgon. Livestock Link also has contracts to scan several saleyards in NSW.

The scanning system uses three-metre long handheld wands to scan information directly into handheld computers using Livestock Exchange software.

“By presale scanning, Dalby Wambo Saleyards Board is providing a better service by than those yards that have chosen to scan at the scales,” Mr Newsome said.

“Livestock Link can provide selling agents with the ability to sell cattle based on traceability status so that cattle that have a lifetime traceability status can be sold for a premium.”

He said Livestock Link provided a service that combined the most experienced people in the animal identification industry with a single point of responsibility for NLIS requirements.

“Livestock Link provides an audit trail and offsite data backup for clients to ensure that data is secure and liability is managed,” Mr Newsome said.

“There is no need for on farm scanning or further uploading of information to the NLIS database. It is quick and easy for vendors, agents, saleyards and buyers.”

The Livestock Exchange Pocket Scan System was designed to make the NLIS scanning process simple and easy to use. It facilitates the collection of all the necessary saleyard data and is functional for both new and experienced users.

It utilises a Bluetooth wireless connection between the PDA and scanner so that information on the animals can be entered simultaneously with the scanning process.

Garry Edwards, Livestock Exchange Director, said the system’s benefits included speed and accuracy and the ability to generate documentation such as pre-sale catalogues, sale clerking and penning sheets automatically from the LE Saleyard Plus software system once uploaded.

“This process significantly improves data entry accuracy and efficiency and, contrary to popular belief, NLIS sales conducted in this manner can actually process the documentation and livestock faster than traditional sales due to the reduction in duplication of manual data entry processes and manual transcription errors,” Mr Edwards said.

“Due to the volume of cattle sold through the Dalby Wambo saleyards the system was updated to collect all of the information required by the livestock agents.

“This also means that the majority of the cattle sold through Dalby Wambo saleyards will only need to be scanned once and only split sale lots need to be rescanned as they are weighed.”

Mr Edwards said Livestock Exchange was excited at the opportunity to partner with AgInfolink to provide a contract scanning service to the Livestock Industry. 

“The combined knowledge, experience and NLIS technology developed by both companies allows Livestock Link to provide an accurate and reliable scanning and data collection solution to ensure a smooth transition to conducting NLIS compliant livestock transfers.”