Choosing Between Individual Animal and Mob-based Systems
In StockMate, there are two ways to calculate Livestock Inventory (Stock on Hand) and record animal movements using either:
- Individual Electronic ID (EID)
- Mob-based Management
Livestock Inventory can be recorded on either the Web or the App.
In order to access the Mob based management options in StockMate, ensure that the mob-based check box is ticked under Tenant Settings. Refer to Enable Mob-based Tenant Setting (web) for detailed instructions.
Individual Electronic ID (EID)
Basic Assumption
When animals are moved, processed or treated in any way, StockMate will record the activity with specific reference to individual animals.
All livestock records will be maintained on the basis of the unique identifier associated with each animal. In most instances, this will involve the Electronic Identification code (EID) embedded in a scannable ear tag or bolus.
If these records are to be accurate, animals either need to be scanned when they arrive on the property or are treated or moved. If the EID of every animal in a location is known and whole groups of animals are being relocated a ‘bulk’ move can be recorded using EID records but without actually scanning the animals.
Common Applications
Backgrounding operations, breeders and small
to medium sized grazing operations.
Recording in StockMate
Many producers need to know the location of every specific animal under management. They use scanning technology to identify animals when livestock are processed or moved. In these situations, the StockMate App integrates with the scanning devices and records the destination to which livestock are drafted. Individual animal records are automatically updated with this information.
Often these same producers will move whole groups of animals from paddock to paddock without physically scanning the animals. However, because they have already recorded the location of all animals within StockMate they can then record paddock moves and Exits on the mobile App or through the web interface by using the Bulk Session option in StockMate. Refer to Create New Session - Bulk Session (web) for detailed instructions for moving a group of animals by EID.
Reporting in StockMate
Based on the EID information recorded, StockMate can generate Stock on Hand reports which show the exact location of, and details for, every animal under management. Producers are able to maintain an accurate inventory figure for all groups of animals based on individual EID data. This approach works exceptionally well for producers involved in backgrounding operations or with small to medium sized grazing operations.
Example of application
‘Bill’ manages a backgrounding property with about 4000 cattle. Because he uses StockMate in the yards to process his animals on the basis of EID’s he knows which animals have been drafted to each paddock on his property. His pasture management system dictates that Bill shifts entire groups of animals from paddock to paddock on a weekly basis. This is made easy in StockMate because he can record a ‘Bulk Handling Session’ on the tablet or on the StockMate website and EID’s are transferred to the new paddock in bulk. When Bill runs a ‘Stock on Hand’ report the numbers of animals and their locations and key performance metrics are all accurate for every paddock and property under management because every session has been recorded using EID data.
Mob-based Management
‘Line’ or ‘Mob’ based management involves the recording of livestock inventory on the basis of numbers of animals of particular types or specification.
This option of Inventory Management is not dependent on EID data. However individual animal data can be used within the system to the extent that scanning does take place.
Basic Assumption
Some livestock producers don’t need to scan livestock or might prefer to only scan animal tags occasionally. For instance, they may choose to tag and scan animals at weaning or branding; when applying treatments in the yards or when exiting animals to another property or to a feedlot or processor. Owners of breeding stock that never leave the property on which they are born, may never scan some animals.
They do however need to know how many animals they have of different types, ages and weight ranges and where those animals are located. They producers will elect to use StockMate’s ‘Line’ or ‘Mob’ based management system to manage their livestock inventory.
They do however need to know how many animals they have of different types, ages and weight ranges and where those animals are located. They producers will elect to use StockMate’s ‘Line’ or ‘Mob’ based management system to manage their livestock inventory.
Common Applications
Large scale pastoral operations and commercial breeding operations, especially in situations where regular processing and scanning of animals is operationally difficult due to the size of properties and costs structures. Smaller livestock operations where managers have no need to maintain individual animal data may also choose to use ‘Mob’ based management, although this is less common.
Recording in StockMate
Typically, under this system, mobs or groups of animals will be moved from paddock to paddock without reference to the individual identity of specific animals. Stock handlers simply open a gate and push animals through. They make a note of the number and type of animals on the StockMate App and records are updated when the device is synchronised with the web when the user has an internet connection.
Under this method animal numbers are tracked on the basis of movements of ‘lines’ or types of animals. At the most basic level, these lines refer to a line or a type of animal and could be based on mob, type, breed, gender or any other descriptors.
Under this method animal numbers are tracked on the basis of movements of ‘lines’ or types of animals. At the most basic level, these lines refer to a line or a type of animal and could be based on mob, type, breed, gender or any other descriptors.
Reconciling Mob based records with scan based Data
The two systems used in StockMate (EID and Mob based) are not incompatible. At different points in the life of particular animals, they may be scanned. This allows the producer to record treatments and key data against specific animals. If all animals are scanned at, say, an annual muster, it is possible to reconcile mob based records with actual individual animal IDs. Nonetheless, under mob based management, inventory can be maintained and Stock on Hand determined, even when animals are only scanned at branding and exit. Refer to Reconciling Mob and Scan based records for further detail.
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