This Queensland Feedlot is a modern 17,000 head custom feedlot, run in conjunction with a 2,000 hectare grazing and farming operation.  It is located 20km north east of Dalby in Queensland. As an industry leader, they have often been at the forefront of implementing new and innovative cattle feeding technology and cattle management systems.

The Feedlot’s telecommunications were operating on Telstra’s 3G network from Dalby, which is over-subscribed and delivering an unsatisfactory internet service to the office and staff.  Productivity was severely hampered due to unreliable speeds and frequent dropouts.  Due to the consumer nature of the Telstra network, business functions had been moved offsite, increasing costs and reducing system performance. Existing wireless links around the site connect to the hospital, induction shed, mill control and feed pens but are unreliable and require upgrade to be compatible with new software packages.

This project featured construction of a Fixed Wireless Wide Area Network (WAN) link to connect their well-established feedlot to high speed, reliable carrier grade internet. The solution delivered a dedicated 30Mbps download and 30Mbps upload, with no limit on usage, Utilising this connection enables the use of industry specific applications which ensures their competitive future and relevance in the market.

Due to the rural location of this property the ability to send telecommunications to site is challenging with a lack of available sources of connectivity. A new point to point fixed wireless service was installed to connect the feedlot to MarchNet’s fibre backbone in Dalby. Once the high speed broadband is delivered to the site it is distributed via a point to multipoint device utilising four 90° sector antennas providing 360° coverage for the entire property. This device provides stable coverage across large service areas by forwarding the signal to subscribers installed at each specified location where Wi-Fi is required.

The installation of a high speed, quality and reliable telecommunications network allows staff anywhere on the property to connect to the private network. The ability to remote access into private networks and monitor critical systems whilst out of the office provides an increased level of flexibility and opportunities for future innovation. This network also extends the range of mobile coverage through VoWIFI throughout the property, providing a reliable means of critical communication. The Feedlot can now reliably access observational data streams and environmental data.

Access to a high speed reliable telecommunications provides the ability to access off-site server services. A better backup service is now available that also provides extra assurances from a security point of view. The alternative to this situation would have been to duplicate the existing backup server at a cost of approximately $100,000 every 3-5 years, in-line with industry standards.

Local sources for IT support were insufficient, so the installation of a high speed, reliable telecommunications network provided the flexibility to go further abroad to seek specialist advice for their operations and support requirements.

Feedback from the Feedlot around remote access to private networks has been very positive, noting increases in efficiency and staff productivity. The Wide Area Wi-Fi network enables:

• Working from homesteads throughout the property
• Collecting data as it happens rather than manually entered periodically
• Collecting data that was not previously being captured
• Accessing the collected data from anywhere on-site and/or off-site

Remote access to services ensures reduced errors in data collection, and provides more efficient delivery of information to key decision makers to make better and faster operational decisions.

Telecommunications are now a critical piece of infrastructure for Agribusiness in rural and regional Australia. The ability to adopt the rapidly growing multitude of agriculture technology applications is restricted by the ability for a producer to connect these end points to their homestead/office operations. For many producers living in rural and regional Australia they do not have access to mobile networks across their properties and the existing contented internet services available are not providing enough bandwidth to enable their own operational enhancements.

If your remote operation is currently experiencing poor, limited or no communications, get in touch today and find out how the MarchNet team can bring you quality, reliable and affordable telecommunications.

sales@marchnet.com.au – 1300 627 244