Feedlot Monitoring

Feedlot Monitoring (Senergy Feedmill)

Senergy provides an objective measurement to monitor both controlled and uncontrolled processes within a feedlot.

Senergy allows a feedlot, anywhere in the world, to recognise opportunities for improvement and future economic gain. 
 

The Senergy advantages include: 
 

• the creation of an objective measurement system
   

• the formation of a fundamental knowledge of baseline operations, so the potential impact of new equipment can be assessed
   

• the comparison of internal processes (controlled and uncontrolled) through the dynamics of staff, equipment and animals, and their respective levels of diminishing return
   

• the identification of tangible items that may be managed
   

• the adoption of new technology.

A feedlot operation consists of a number of synchronised and interactive components. Some of these components, or processes, are readily 'controlled', while other processes may be variable in nature and, therefore, conSidered 'uncontrolled'. 

​

Controlled processes
 

The production cost of feeding cattle is not clearly defined in most feedlots. However, through isolating interdependent operations into discreet measurable units, production costs may be monitored.

​

The highest production costs, which can be objectively assessed within a feedlot are: number of staff, working hours, equipment hours and fuel usage.

​

Items to be recorded on a monthly basis, as part of the SENERGY program, include:

​

• feed mixer truck or tractor (hours and fuel)

• loader (hours and fuel)

• feedmill electricity (kWh)

• feedmill staff (number of staff and working hours)

• head days

• feed manufactured and delivered (tonnage)

 

Senergy uses these precise units of operation (for example, hours, kWh, Lt), and relates these to actual production parameters (MT of feed manufactured, head days), permitting internal assessment. The discreet units alone do not signify production efficiencies or inefficiencies. However, their interrelated activities can provide a good indication of areas where deficits may exist within an operation.

​

The Senergy model then enables management to:

​

• identify strategic inputs - monitor highest input costs of feedlot (staff, equipment and fuel)
   

• select specific processes - feed manufacturing and delivery
   

• identify expectations - understand internal operational processes
   

• select critical success factors - create a change within the system to decrease operational expenditure.
   

​​