Innovative Portable System Transforms Sheep Handling
Tasmanian farmers Georgie and Richard Burbury have achieved a remarkable breakthrough in livestock management, cutting their sheep handling time in half through an innovative portable yard system. The couple, who operate Burbury Ag across multiple properties in Tasmania's northern Midlands, have revolutionised their approach to managing approximately 15,000 breeding ewes and finishing around 17,000 lambs annually.
Partnership Driving Agricultural Innovation
The transformation was made possible through an $85,000 grant from the Coles Nurture Fund, which the Burburys received to address long-standing challenges in their operation. Having worked with Coles for a decade, with 85% of their premium grass-fed lamb supplied to the supermarket's Premium Graze program, the partnership has proven crucial to their success.
"Operating across multiple leased and agisted properties meant our staff were constantly adapting to eight different sets of sheep yards, each with varying infrastructure," explained Georgie Burbury. "We knew there had to be a better way that would benefit both our team and our animals."
Game-Changing Results for Farmers and Animals
The custom-designed portable sheep handling system has delivered exceptional results since implementation. The mobile setup travels between properties, allowing staff to process sheep right next to the paddock rather than moving animals to distant yards.
Handling time has been reduced by 50%, representing a significant efficiency gain for the large-scale operation. More importantly, the system has dramatically improved animal welfare outcomes. "The sheep remain calm and flow smoothly through the same efficient system every time," Richard Burbury noted.
For farmers deeply committed to ethical practices, the ability to minimise stress and reduce time away from feed and water aligns perfectly with consumer expectations about animal welfare. "When you choose Australian lamb at Coles, you're backing farmers who care about quality, care about our animals, and care about doing things right," Georgie emphasised.
The Burburys believe their experience demonstrates how strategic investment in Australian agriculture can yield substantial returns. "The Coles Nurture Fund proves that when you invest in Australian farmers, we deliver," they stated, highlighting how the grant has given them confidence to continue innovating for the future of farming.
