V.RDP.2105-Wingham Beef Export animal disease data pilot

Summary

The purpose of the Wingham Beef Exports (WBE) animal disease data pilot study was to demonstrate the value of sharing and utilising disease and defect data along the supply chain to improve productivity and profitability.

The project was part of the red meat pilot trials for the Rural Research & Development of Profit project Health 4 Wealth.

While many meat processing recording systems are already in place, data collection on disease-related carcase and offal condemnations and feedback of this information to producers varies considerably. The Health 4 Wealth project aims to introduce a standardised and comprehensive approach to data collection of disease-related carcase and offal condemnations and feedback to producers. This will allow producers to monitor disease prevalence in their livestock and make informed decisions to maximise yield outcomes.

Objectives

The objectives of the WBE animal disease data pilot study project were to:

• demonstrate that individual and lot-based animal disease and defect data can be effectively and efficiently transferred to producers
• dDemonstrate that animal disease and defect data can be correlated to an individual animal where and individual ID is present
• provide animal disease and defect inspection information to producers to help them make better informed decisions regarding on-farm practices to improve livestock/carcase performance
• provide learnings that can be incorporate into the wider Health 4 Wealth project
• provide recommendations that can be incorporated into the NLIS and LDL project plans to further develop these systems in carcase disease and defect data collection and dissemination.

Key findings

WBE was able to demonstrate that individual and lot-based carcase and defect data can be effectively and efficiently transferred from the abattoir to producers using the Promptu, NLIS and LDL systems, although formatting and amendments to the systems had to be undertaken prior to the carcase and defect data feedback systems becoming operational. Formatting the animal health data file for export to MLA was the most difficult part of amending the existing WBE systems to allow standardised animal disease and defect data to be collected.

Once the carcase and defect data system was operational, data comparisons between Promptu and LDL were verified as being accurate, and the animal health data was able to be matched to the individual carcase identified on the slaughter floor. The carcase disease and defect data was then able to be provided to producers through the LDL interface.
The data provided to producers allows them to understand the disease and defects that may affect their animals and helps them to gauge the potential production impacts on their herd. Many producers were unaware of the potential impacts of animal health issues. The availability of this information transfer from processor to producer will allow them to make more informed decisions regarding their on-farm practices. This will assist producers in improving their livestock and carcase performance.

Now that producers supplying WBE have access to the disease and defect feedback, they indicated that they are more likely to consult with an animal health professional for advice on reducing and eradicating disease within their herds. Over time this will result in reduced incidence of animal disease being identified in processing plants, reducing industry losses due to condemnations.

Benefits to industry

The project has demonstrated that individual and lot-based carcase disease and defect data can be effectively and efficiently transferred from the abattoir to producers through existing industry infrastructure such as LDL and NLIS.

Improved engagement with government bodies is an objective that could be considered in further projects on animal disease and defect data collection in processing plants. The most difficult part of the project was attempting to engage DAWR inspectors to work with WBE and to show commitment to the collection of the data for producers.

The DAWR inspectors did not value the disease and defect training available through the project provided by MINTRAC. A possible explanation for this could be that MINTRAC is not usually involved in delivering training to DAWR inspectors. Future projects could investigate preferred training options for DAWR inspectors.

Further engagement with DAWR to encourage a ‘top down’ approach may also create greater involvement and commitment from inspectors and On-Plant Veterinarians at a plant level.