Solutions and alternatives to pricing grid complexity in LDL

Summary

Grids are an important part in identifying non-compliance and driving behaviour change, but they are also complex. Grid creation in the Livestock Data Link (LDL) is one of its largest barriers to producer adoption.

Without a grid, the user can only generate basic results from the LDL reports with no indication how well they have performed. For LDL to be a useful tool it needs simpler mechanisms to allow producers to understand and interpret them.

The purpose of this project was to provide recommendations around how to capture processors grids in LDL.

Objectives

The primary objectives of this project were to:

• review the existing processor grids that are available for capture in LDL
• evaluate the existing LDL grid mechanism, proposed grid options and explore other possible options
• consult with LDL advisory committee to ensure the recommend solutions are aligned with industry requirements.

Key findings

• The existing LDL grid mechanism was evaluated and found to be inadequate to support the variation of grids used by processors. The existing interface is dated, difficult to understand with limited or no information on how to use the system.
• A Grid Wizard meant to guide users in creating a new grid, doesn't offer explanations on what is meant by the different questions within the Wizard.
• User Interface Design and security issues were also identified as part of this project.

Benefits to industry

Price grids in LDL allow producers to analyse any consignment against created grids, enabling them to compare grid compliance, highlight sweet spots in a grid and calculate the cost of non-compliance. 

MLA action

MLA will work to build a common grid interface with options required for the foreseeable future. User interface design and security concerns have been addressed and a future LDL model continues to be developed.

Future research

Future research should involve:

• building a common and flexible grid interface that will cater for the grid options required in the foreseeable future
• presenting grid capture oin a similar format as it is published
• capturing premiums with discounts
• expanding discounts and premiums to make provision for multiple traits
• providing processors with the ability to create their grids in LDL and share with some or all of the users.