Feedyard Data:
Issues of Privacy, Compatibility by T.S. Gatz
A feedyard generates a large amount of data each and every day. Feeding systems take data from feed trucks and credits feed to the pens and bills the pens the appropriateamountfor that feeding of ration. Feedyard hospitals generate data on calf illnesses and medicines used as wellasassociatedcostsanddrug room inventories. When feed in- gredientsareaddedwithamicro machine, the amounts of feed additives placed in each batch are recorded, creating valuable inventory records. This myriad of data sources
creates a data flow that must be captured and analyzed in order to manage the feedyard. “The greatest challenge for
most feedyards is in the analysis partofthetask,” statesDr. BillMies of Texas A&M University. Dr. Mies, who also serves as
1-970-842-5566 Brush, CO
a feedyard consultant, adds that seldom do feedyards have enough employees on staff to devote the staff time to in-depth analysis of daily data. “That’s why feedyards tend to
relyonbenchmarkingcompanies ordatamanagementcompanies to take their data, glean it for errors and then feed it back to theminaformatthat willimprove management in the feedyard,” Mies explains. “As technology has moved forward, more data is now avail- able with increased emphasis on carcass data. Grading cameras are also generating increasingly large amounts of data that had not been previously available.” A recent informal survey with
feedyard managers indicates that some managers have con- cerns regarding the potential for improper use of feedyard data
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that has been input and gener- ated. Dr. Mies points out that this con-
cerncanbeadetriment,as itcan prevent managers from getting themaximuminformation—maxi- mum benefit—from their data. And, he says, this over cautious- ness can ultimately restrict their ability to improve management. “I’mseeingthatmanagershave adapted a ‘better be safe than sorry’ attitude toward outside entities having access to their data,” Dr. Mies states. “While that concern is real to them, I don’t believetheyareseeingthewhole pictureandarebeingstoppedby fear—a fear that unnecessary.” He adds that “outside entities”
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42 / THE FLORIDA CATTLEMAN / MAY 2011
aretypicallycompaniesthatstate that information provided by feedyardmanagersusingaportal or programwillbekeptconfiden- tial. Ifacompanystates that infor- mation will be confidential, then they are legally bound to keep said information confidential. To breakthatbindingpromisewould be a move that could ultimately cause a company to fail. Granted,witheachtechnology innovation comes concerns and challenges. Privacy,competitive edge and customer relations all hinge on data accuracy and analysis. “Every feedyard should first un- derstandthatalldatagenerated by that feedyard belongs only to that feedyard,” Dr. Mies states. “Softwarevendorsoroutsideenti- ties do not own the data unless the feedyard specifically assigns rights to the outside entity to alter, cleanor transposedataandstore in a new format. “Use of a feedyards data for
anythingother thanfeedingback directly to the feedyard is not permitted without written agree- ments between the two parties. Software vendors who want to succeed in business want to help feedyards generate as much
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