Case Study Technology that protects the welfare of bobby calves
Devinci, in collaboration with NZ Farmers Livestock, developed a public platform designed to facilitate the management of bobby calves.
The Bobby Calf Problem in New Zealand
Bobby calves are young dairy calves that are typically less than 30 days old and are not intended to be raised for milk production or breeding purposes. These calves are a byproduct of the dairy industry, where the primary goal is to produce milk. Female calves may be kept for future milk production, while male calves and some female calves are often considered surplus and are thus termed "bobby calves."
The issue of bobby calves in New Zealand is a significant and multifaceted challenge that intersects animal welfare, economic considerations, and industry practices within the dairy sector. The challenges:
- The dairy industry produces a large number of bobby calves, and managing this surplus can be economically burdensome. Farmers may face low financial returns from selling these calves.
- There is often a mismatch between the supply of bobby calves and the demand from meat processors or other markets, leading to logistical and economic inefficiencies.
- Stricter regulations and guidelines to ensure humane treatment of bobby calves during transportation and slaughter.
NZ Farmers Livestock (NZFL) faced significant challenges in managing the transportation of bobby calves. The existing process was fragmented, involving multiple stakeholders such as farmers, transport carriers, and meat processors, each working in isolation. This siloed approach led to inefficiencies, miscommunications, and a painful demand and supply mismatch during the busy season.
NZFL engaged Devinci to develop a public platform that streamline the management of bobby calves, connecting farmers, transporters, and processors more effectively.
Solution
Devinci collaborated with NZFL to develop an integrated platform that seamlessly connects all stakeholders in the bobby calves' transportation lifecycle. This comprehensive solution includes:
- NZFL Administrator Portal
- Transport Carrier Portal
- Processor Portal
- Farmers Texting Facility
NZFL Admin Portal
- Capacity Planning: Allows NZFL administrators to plan and allocate transport resources effectively, considering the expected volume of bobby calves.
- Tally Request Management: Admins can manage and approve tally requests from farmers, ensuring timely pickups.
- Transport Dispatching: Automated dispatching of transport carriers based on capacity and route optimisation.
- Records Management: Digital record-keeping for compliance and reporting purposes.
Transport Carrier Portal
- Route Planning: Optimised routes for transport carriers, reducing travel time and fuel costs.
- Dispatch Notifications: Real-time notifications and updates to transport carriers about assigned pickups and routes.
- Collection Day Data Entry: Easy data entry for transport carriers to log collection details on the go.
Processor Portal
- Demand Management: Meat processors can input their demand, ensuring a balanced supply chain.
- Scheduling: Coordinated scheduling of calf arrivals, reducing bottlenecks and processing delays.
Farmers Texting Facility
- Tally Booking: Farmers can book tally requests via a simple text message, making the process accessible and user-friendly.
- Status Updates: Receive updates on pickup times and any changes to the schedule.
Results
1 Admin User
The platform eliminated the silos between stakeholders, fostering better communication and coordination. The automated dispatching and route planning features reduced the administrative burden and minimised delays.
700+ farms
The easy-to-use texting facility simplified the tally booking process for farmers. Regular status updates improved transparency and trust.
40,000+ Calves
One admin person is now capable of managing over 40,000 bobby calves during the peak season. Real-time data entry and record-keeping streamlined compliance processes.
10+ Carriers
The capacity planning tool allowed for more accurate forecasting and resource allocation. Transport carriers and processors could better manage their schedules, reducing idle times and improving utilisation rates.
Takeaways
Devinci’s innovative transportation system for NZ Farmers Livestock revolutionized the management of bobby calves' transportation. By integrating all stakeholders into a cohesive platform, the solution addressed critical pain points and significantly enhanced operational efficiency. This case study exemplifies how technology can transform traditional farming practices, leading to more sustainable and profitable outcomes for the industry.
