Tom works closely with Rob Coburn, AIM Central’s Senior Technical Sales Specialist to get his feedlot operation up and performing to a level that has him expanding and refocussing on the ‘lamb job’ to create a diversified mix of operations with his cropping.

Rob and I first met at an AIM workshop at the local footy club about 4 years ago. “I always understood the principle of nutrition for feedlotting, and to see it in action is very satisfying. Rob showed great knowledge and confidence in the performance of AIM products, and we have worked together since.” 

Rob said building the relationship with Tom and having him trust in the science behind the AIM Central products had been refreshing. “It’s great to deal with someone who will give your knowledge, the company’s knowledge, suggestions, plans and processes a go and stick to that,’’ he said.

“And then to analyse the costs against the outputs, that kind of data is so valuable to show producers just what can be achieved consistently.’’

Tom is a numbers man, and doesn’t rely on guess work. He makes sure he has the data to make decisions with confidence. So recently when his weight gains and yield percentages started to drop it was data which directed him to the problem

“The yield had dropped on the kill sheet, and I couldn’t work that out,’’ Tom says.

Reviewing his feeding system, he realised his feed auger was malfunctioning. His ration had changed with the percentage of AIM Converter being reduced. “I fixed the feeding system and the next lot received the correct ration, and the results jumped back to normal instantly,’’ Tom said. They are results that impress.

“We have been feedlotting for around 17 years and initially our yield was around 46 per cent,’’ Tom said. “I then started work with Rob to put together our program using the AIM Central products and our new yield figures are consistently 50-53 per cent. We were missing out on more than 1.8kg per head of weight gain before we applied the AIM program four years ago.”

The raw figures Tom has built to show just how hard AIM is working for his operations are impressive. The cost for a 6-week feed ration of AIM Converter is averaging around $6/head and he has gained more than double that in improved consistent returns.

“That is not even considering the other gains… like reduced days on feed and reducing animal health issues and subsequent costs.

“It is the work that I have done with Rob over the past 4 years that has achieved consistently great outcomes. I have just done an induction of 450 lambs and got them on full feed, low fibre gain ration in under eight days – and I didn’t lose a single lamb."

“The system we use can be pushed harder if required – for example – I have inducted in five days when there was weather coming.’’ Tom says he has great confidence in achieving such results by working with Rob and the AIM Central team – service and advice which comes free of charge.

“You don’t need the big flash mixing systems either,’’ Tom says, “I have used my old mixing system for feeding in a paddock setting, and I get the same results.

“But you must follow what they say – I have tried all the options to cut corners, and it does not save money it only causes delay and unreliable results."