CUSTOMER STORY
From manual to automatic: boosting supplementation results with uDOSE
Scarce protein during the dry season and phosphorus-deficient soil makes supplementation crucial to effective production in the Katherine region, NT. But over the years of running Auvergne Station, one of the premier stations in the CAIT portfolio, Dave Young could see the burden of supplementing with loose lick taking its toll on staff and vehicles.
In search of a more efficient way of supplementing, Dave considered water medication and discovered DIT AgTech.
STATION STATS
Herd size: 25,000
Area: 424,500 ha
Number of uDOSE units: 12
Feeding: uPRO ORANGE High Phos, uCALM
Automating livestock supplementation
After an initial consultation with senior management, the DIT AgTech team arrived at Auvergne. Within the week, we installed five uDOSE units capable of supplementing an initial test group of 5000 head.
The uDOSE systems were installed at the station’s water bore pumps. As water is pumped from the bores, the uDOSEs’ precision technology dispenses a proportionate amount of supplements. This means that by the time the water reaches tanks, it is charges with an accruate proportion of supplements. The tank water is then directed into troughs.
A boost of wellbeing
In just one season after switching from loose lick to water medicating with DIT AgTech’s uDOSE technology, there were noticeable improvements in cattle health.
“The results speak for themselves both visually and in our figures,” says Dave. Specifically, he has observed that his cattle are holding their condition better, even during the hot and dry times leading up to the wet season. “Their coats are shiny and they have plenty of energy to walk out further in their grazing radius to where the feed is.”
Improvements in the health of cattle at Auvergne have had a positive impact on Dave’s overall operation. “Mortality rates have dropped and conception rates have gone through the roof,” he says.
Photo: DIT AgTech delivering supplements to Auvergne. The station benefits from full-service supplement mixing and refils through DIT AgTech’s Enterprise plan.
Energy better directed
DIT AgTech’s Enterprise offering has proven to be a convenient and cost-effective solution for Dave Young.
DIT AgTech handles all aspects of the process, from installation to refilling, servicing, and monitoring with no upfront costs expect the cost of the supplements that the Cattle consume
This means that Dave doesn’t have to worry about the logistics of transporting “hundreds of tonnes of blocks and bags” and can instead focus on running the station. Not having to transport the loose lick is a “massive saving”, he says.
Dave also notes a significant reduction in labour costs, and that the R&M bill to plant and equipment has been reduced.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuous connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present.
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