Independent sheep production consultant, Anthony Shepherd, operates his Sheep Matters business from his Cootamundra farm. He travels more than 50,000 kilometres every year visiting clients and he’s been using the 5G ZetiRover as part of his day-to-day activities travelling across NSW, southern QLD as well as eastern and southern parts of South Australia. In all his travels there was only one spot in south-west Queensland where he couldn’t get coverage with the ZetiRover and he experienced “more reliable communication day in, day out”.
For Anthony, where his vehicle is the office, this has allowed him to work far more efficiency and service his clients more effectively as he can make phone calls, attend Zoom meetings, and access his client’s data in real-time, such as livestock weights, pedigrees, etc.
As a part of Anthony’s service, he helps clients get set up with the TruTest Walk Over Weighing (WOW) system on-farm. The WOW system enables daily weight information to be gathered on individual livestock to help monitor animal health and meet production targets. In the initial setup phase Anthony often needs to be able to talk to the technical support personnel based in Sydney and they sometimes need to gain remote access in. The use of the ZetiRover has greatly improved this overall process so it can be completed there and then in the paddock.
NOTE: This case study was researched and written by Birchip Cropping Group as part of the Australian Government-funded 5G Innovation Initiative (5GII) project. The 5G enhanced mobile broadband ZetiRover unit was provided to Anthony Shepherd free of charge for the period of the trial.
