L.SFP.1022 Final Report Servian
The SB-GAF calculator facilitates market access for sheep and beef producers, this update allowed the inclusion of goat and feedlot users as well.
| Project start date: | 18 October 2023 |
| Project end date: | 15 June 2024 |
| Publication date: | 13 May 2024 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | National |
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Summary
The investment goal is to enable growth in the value of and trust in Australian grassfed beef products and their production through demonstrating environmental credentials. The problem being addressed is the absence of a national online web-based version of the Sheep and Beef, goat and feedlot Greenhouse Accounting Framework (SB-GAF, GO-GAF, F-GAF) tools for Australian red meat producers to complete a carbon account/emissions baseline. MLA should invest because the Environmental Credentials Platform is crucial to achieving the milestones outlined in the Smart Farming Partnership Grant, which MLA is leading through the Environmental Credentials of Grassfed Beef Project and the SB-GAF tool is a required data source for the platform. Future planning for this tool with see goat and feedlot users being able to participate.
Objectives
The Supplier, in consultation with MLA, will construct the web-based tool with architecture and functionality that is
to be informed by MLA IT Development standards guide and a planning and design milestone with MLA.
Deliverables to be delivered in line with the user requirements outlined below.
Calculator tool:
- A fully-functioning, highly user-friendly web version of the sheep and beef greenhouse accounting
framework that is currently in excel spreadsheet format available on the MLA tools and calculators web
page, and ready to be embedded as a data source for the carbon balance credential on the Environmental
Commercial in Confidence 4
Credentials platform. The supplier is responsible for the generation of the excel spreadsheet formulas into
web coding to enable a more functional tool for users.
- Integrates into the myMLA SSO portal if users wish to save their data and share their data. Data sharing
options to be discussed in the planning and design meeting, current suggestions are a QR code or an eNVD
equivalent. A user will be promoted to log-in to their myMLA SSO account prior to entering data into the
calculator if they wish to save and store their result. Users have the option to name the file they save to
ensure they can save a file for multiple enterprises. Exploration of the above is to be further scope during
Milestone 1, it is the responsibility of MLA to provide the required data sharing formats with the supplier
before reaching the project’s first Go/No go point to ensure the supplier can execute this requirements e.g.
QR code sharing functionality.
- Supplier to enable the functionality for a user to ‘drag & drop’ a completed excel spreadsheet version of the
V1.8 SB-GAF calculator into the tool for easy data input. This function will not be supported for versions
earlier/older than the V1.8 version.
MLA IT development standards document: As per MLA Development and standards document
- The supplier must include instructions regarding the coding methodology to MLA in the final report under
Milestone 5 that is in line with MLA’s development standards document. This is required to enable MLA or
approved personnel to update the tool with changes to the National GHG Inventory.
- The supplier must ensure this requirement has been sufficiently met in the handover meeting with the MLA
IT development team representative in milestone 4 by presenting a draft final report for MLA review
Final Report: As per MLA Final Report template
- MLA Final Report template to be provided by MLA project lead to the supplier prior to contract execution.
- MLA final report template to also include the supplier’s best informed estimate of the on-going
maintenance inputs and costs associated to add upgrades to the tool.
Key findings
As this project was to add GO-GAF and F-GAF carbon calculator tools, there were no key findings.
Benefits to industry
The calculator facilitates market access for sheep, beef, goat, feedlot and mixed producers and will leverage existing programs, tools, and resources where relevant. The target audience encompasses the entire red meat supply chain. This calculator will be a valuable tool for the Carbon EDGE package that is currently under development within the MLA adoption portfolio, the tool will underpin the skills taught in the program and ensure a smoother delivery as the usability is more advanced than the current excel version. The calculator is also incorporated into the Environmental Credentials platform and so having all red meat producers able to participate in the calculator will aid the expansion of that platform.
MLA action
MLA will house the calculator and continue to fund maintenance and updated throughout the life of the tool. This is, unless integration with the AIA calculator occurs, in which case MLA will still need to maintain the front end of the calculator that our users are now familiar with.
Future research
As this project was to add GO-GAF and F-GAF carbon calculator tools, no research was conducted and no future research required.
More information
| Project manager: | Jenny Lim |
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
| Primary researcher: | Servian Pty Ltd |
