New portal improves supply chain data

Last year Harvey Beef announced a trial portal, where six WA cattle producers would take part in an innovative trial that allowed them to access data and statistics about the cattle they supply to Harvey Beef through a secure online portal system.

Following the trial the company ironed out some teething problems and has launched the producer portal.

Harvey Beef general manager of livestock Kim McDougall said the portal was an innovative information source, similar to online banking for cattle producers, so they could access cattle sales/bookings and their data.

"We have gone broader from that trial with 500 producers invited to register," Mr McDougall said.

"The uptake has been positive and is open to producers and agents."

Mr McDougall said Harvey Beef had incorporated feedback received from producers for better access cattle feedback, which will make a difference to on-farm decision making.

"It's all about improving producer access to decision-making data," he said.

"It is taking the relationship of the producer and the processor to the next level.

"This could open up new avenues, with all types of information, but for now it's helping producers."

Processor information will provide producers with easier access to invoices, slaughter data, analysis and future delivery schedules, historical information from January 1, 2014, long-term herd trends, graphs and statistics to help improve the quality of WA's herd, and provide financial data, sale records, booking schedules and grading information online, all in one database.

Williams farmer Gordon Atwell supplied 8500 cattle through his feedlot to Harvey Beef this year under a long-term contract backed by Coles.

He was one of the producers involved in last year's trial.

"This portal will cover any farmer (who supplies Harvey) who needs to get their information, whenever they want," Mr Atwell said.

"We have goals on where we want to be, so this will be important for us.

"We are waiting on our last numbers, but once we have that, we will be able to look at this season and bite the bullet on how we will look at next year."

Mr Atwell said he had some feedback for Harvey Beef to separate certain data, but said he was confident this would be resolved.

"That's just for our needs," he said.

"For the average farmer this will be an important tool.

"For those others who say they don't get feedback, this information will be ready when they need, they just need to check out the computer."

Since being operated under Andrew and Nicola Forrest's Minderoo Group, Harvey Beef has aimed at improving communication between producers and the processor.

Meat and Livestock Australia is developing a similar product, and assisted Harvey Beef with ideas and funding.

p To access the Harvey Beef producer portal go to www.harveybeef.com.au and click "login/register" in the top right corner. For information contact Jonathon Green on 9729 0014.