MBFI Smart Farm Feature: On Pasture Weighing with the Optiweigh System with Dr. Mary-Jane Orr

Mary-Jane leads a dedicated team at MBFI to advance Manitoba’s beef & forage industry through engaging stakeholders, evaluating on-farm innovation, and extension for sustainability of farmers, the public, and the environment. She deeply values the opportunity to collaborate with producers, researchers, education providers, extension specialists, conservation groups, and all stakeholders in field-testing management practices and growing understanding of improved production in Manitoba. Mary-Jane holds a PhD from Purdue University in soil microbial ecology in agricultural systems, is a Professional Agrologist, and Certified Crop Advisor. Her experience in ecology and field agronomy gives her a unique perspective on the challenges facing agriculture today. 

To kick off this episode, we discuss what a livestock focused smart farm is and what kinds of technologies are used in MBFI’s operations. One of these technologies, the focus of today’s episode, is a product called the Optiweigh System, which is one option available to use to weigh cattle on pasture.

The Optiweigh System, is the brainchild of Bill and Jacqui Mitchell.  From the website (link below), “The Optiweigh System is farmer developed technology that is making precision livestock management a reality.” The system was developed and is made in Australia.

Mary-Jane shares her experience using the Optiweigh system, including what it looks like, what set up entails, how it works and what data can be collected using this technology.  We also chat about using an “attractant” to encourage cattle to step onto the platform, allowing their front end weight to be taken.  From this front end weight, a proven formula is used to calculate the full body weight of the animal.  This information is sent to the Optiweight system, with the reading of their RDIF tag, allowing producers or researchers to gain valuable information about the weight of specific animals, daily gain or average weight of the group.  This information can then be used in decision making.

As usual, we chat about how this technology might benefit producers to be more sustainable and profitable, as well as environmental benefits this technology can offer.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Optiweigh Website: https://www.optiweigh.com.au/

The research programs and daily operations at MBFI would not be possible without the funding from the Province of Manitoba, Government of Canada, and Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, as well as the partnership with Manitoba Agriculture, Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC).

We encourage you to follow MBFI on social media, or check out the website for more information on project findings and results, upcoming events and more!

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Website: www.mbfi.ca 

Email address: information@mbfi.ca 

Mary-Jane’s Phone Number: 431-255-0011