Steve and Bec Cadzow are second-generation cattle farmers of Mt Riddock Station in dusty Northern Territory.
Mt Riddock’s water sources are all man-made, with mostly bores and a few dams. Water trapping is used for stock handling. Steve says this is what made the Tru-Test Remote WOW so attractive. They’ve been using it for five years now, rotating three units to monitor the weights of their weaner cattle. The Cadzow’s mostly turn off feedlot-age cattle around the 400 to 500 a kg mark, although after a few dry summers, this has dropped to 300.
Steve says the Remote WOW has been a game changer in taking the guesswork out of decisions. Data is transferred to their computer and smartphone app in real-time and a complete performance history of the animal is available at the click of the mouse. He monitors weight gains about once a week.
Steve is also a big fan of the auto-draft feature, which minimises labour inputs and easily identifies poor performers. This means farmers can deal with a targeted group, instead of the whole herd. “It’s quite accurate, occasionally we do get the odd beast that slips through but it’s very effective.”Not only has it saved the Cadzows’ time, it’s spared them money. Steve says they saved the machine’s worth in what weight loss can cost them the first time they used auto-drafting.
“It’s a six-kilometre walk from the rotation to our main drafting yards. When you’re getting around the $3-4 a kg mark, that’s a lot of money at stake.
”Water trapping means training their cattle to use the scale hasn’t proved a problem. At peak season, 800 cattle move through the system, which helps sale weight to market specifications, whilst increasing turn off weight and profit.
“For the cattle we don’t need, we can save 10 kilos a head on every draft. If you’re running a lot of cattle, it’s a big saving.” Steve Cadzow
Steve and Bec have a great relationship with the system’s creator, Tim Driver, especially when getting up to speed on the technology. Steve says Datamars Livestock’s support has been excellent too.
The Remote WOW has helped Steve and Bec know when their livestock’s weight specs are met, giving them the information they need to make informed management decisions. Steve encourages more farmers to take up the technology. “Just go for it."