Belinda is based on a mixed grain and sheep farming enterprise. Her project is based around Internet of Things, a trial of sheep collars and how the data collected can be used. Her aspirations are to change the way livestock and technology is viewed, which has mainly concentrated around manual handling. Humans have adopted ‘fitbits’ to monitor bodies in real time – could the same be done for livestock?

Belinda's roles have constantly evolved over the last 22 years to accommodate the changes that having a family brings. Belinda is responsible for the partnerships paperwork including all grain marketing but she also loves being in the sheep yards. As a farmer, she constantly battles to reduce the mortality rates, particularly in lambing ewes and weaners. Adopting best practice management tools to prevent mortality has helped improve these rates, however there is still room for further improvement.

Belinda believes the industry is facing a number of challenges as society’s attitudes and perceptions evolve in regards to animal farming and need to accept a certain of responsibility to change with it. Opportunities in using sensors and movement technologies could be the next management tool to take welfare and lamb survival to the next level. 

Thank you to the RRR Network for working with us to put together this series.

Other mentions in this episode: Little Outback Learners, Zoe Hayes

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