Genomix and Stock Squad ‘waddies’ to raise money for BeyondBlue

Bruce and Jonny Arkins from beef genetic specialist Genomix and the Queensland Police Service Stock and Rural Crime Investigation Squad (SARCIS) are teaming up at Beef 2015 to raise awareness about depression and anxiety in rural communities. The Arkins have bought 5000 blue drafting canes or ‘waddies’ which they will be selling for $5 each during Beef 2015. The funds raised will go to beyondblue. “Depression, anxiety and mental illness impacts not just on the individual, but on their loved ones, their friends and on the greater community.  This is especially the case for rural residents coping with very stressful situations that could be financial, drought or relationship related.  People need to be aware of the support and professional services available to assist them and we are helping Bruce Arkins and his company in their efforts to promote the services provided by beyondblue,” Detective Inspector Mick Dowie said. “Bruce and his family have very genuine concerns for people suffering depression and anxiety and we commend them for their commitment to raising awareness of these important issues.” The “waddies” will be on sale at the Genomix and SARCIS stands during Beef 2015. Genomix is conducting a genetics auction at Beef 2015 involving 35 vendors and representing 15 breeds at 4-6pm on Wednesday, May 6 at the Hegvold Stadium. The auction will offer semen, embryo and “Pick of the Herd” flush lots – for more information or to view the sale catalogue click here

Important biosecurity sessions at Beef2015

Visitors to the beef Australia 2015 event are encouraged to take advantage of a special presentation by Queensland’s Chief Veterinary Officer and General Manager, Animal Biosecurity and Welfare Allison Crook. Dr Crook will be joined by Biosecurity Queensland’s Pat Bell to provide an update on the state’s Foot and Mouth Disease preparedness, as well as the Queensland Government’s new Biosecurity Act. This is critical information for all cattle producers. Dr Crook said Queensland’s Foot and Mouth Disease Preparedness Program would transform our state’s emergency response capacity and capability. “We have been working hard to boost our surveillance, prevention and response systems so that if we ever have FMD in Queensland our response will be swift and effective. I worked on the FMD response in Great Britain in 2001 and learned many valuable lessons about how we should deal with this disease if it enters our herd.”

New technologies on show from Livestock Exchange

Livestock technology developer Livestock Exchange will showcase a range of its new technologies at Beef 2015 – some still in prototype stage, but far enough advanced to give stakeholders an idea of what’s in the pipeline. That company has now expanded well beyond its original saleyard and herd management software solutions. Here’s a quick sample of what LE will showcase on the company’s commercial trade display:

Live streaming cattle sales from around the country: LE will be filming a number of cattle sales at various locations around Australia during Beef Australia 2015. This footage will be broadcast live to the internet via this portal, the Beef 2015 Cattleman’s Bar, the canteen at CQLX (Gracemere Saleyards) and also the Livestock Exchange’s triple marquee at the showgrounds. Each day will show a different site and a different sale.

stockIT and the Live Export Module: Used by some of the largest cattle producers in Australia, LE’s herd management software program stockIT removes the need for pen and paper in the yards and reduces time in the office. This is because all the data on each animal can be entered crushside, while the animal is there in front of you. Data that can be captured includes but certainly not limited to weights, pregnancy and fertility status, condition score, treatments and health information, pedigree data and traits, and NLIS information. With an easy-to-use touch screen, stockIT has everything needed in one system to run reports, analyse the herd and make business decisions based on actuals, not estimates.

For the live export industry, Livestock Exchange has built the initial stages of Australia’s first dedicated Live Export Management program, being a live export module on the stockIT platform. stockIT Live Export takes advantage of stockIT’s standard features and builds on it. From government documentation through to importer specifications, nominations and shipping and loading information, a Live Export business can not only manage their inventory in backgrounding or in quarantine, but also create budgets, lock-in hedges using different exchange rates and create invoices and purchase orders. LE will also present a prototype of its new web-based version of its stockIT software. ‘StockIT NXT’ allows users to access a range of features of StockIT without having to manage the total program. This will be a subscription-based program with different levels of stockIT features for different subscriptions.

Livestock Exchange will be located at Beef Australia site 10-12, next to Centre Ring in front of the Archer Pavilion.

Great offer from Zee Tags

Animal ID tag manufacturer Zee Tags has put together a great offer for customers attending Beef 2015. Zee Tags will be giving a Free Pro Tagger box and a Free Z2 no-tear tagger™ with orders of 300 or more NLIS tags.

The company will also offer free printing on female matching tags with orders of 50 or more NLIS tags. These promotions are not in conjunction, and the customer can choose the offer of their preference.

Zee tags will also be featuring the Agri-ID Bluestick reader and will be available for sale at only $759 including gst.

Zee Tags and Agri-ID brands can be found on two sites at beef 2015: Ruralco Pavilion (C209) and Elders Pavilion.