The use of technology and data to better predict and manage disease threats, such as Avian Influenza, will play a vital role in helping producers safeguard their businesses this year.
That is the message from Gordon Samet, Group Managing Director at Livetec Systems, which recently celebrated 15 years in business.
“Since we launched in 2010, we’ve gone from being known largely for our on-the-ground, face-to-face work to becoming a company that blends decades of practical experience with a growing range of digital tools, covering the United Kingdom and International markets
During this time, our overall team has grown to over 90 strong across 4 countries, bringing in a range of skills including our inhouse digital development, product innovation, biosecurity advice, disease control and animal handling expertise – all of which will help support business growth and longevity going forward.
This expertise has also gained industry recognition receiving awards covering Trade Supplier, Digital Innovation and SME employment awards. Moreover, I am incredibly proud to have a Livetec team member as a finalist in the upcoming National Women in Agriculture Awards”
Livetec’s Group Technical Director, Julian Sparrey, says the company’s digital tools range from our free Livetec Systems app to the full feature enterprise Livestock Protect platform. Our platform is now used by more than 4,300 poultry farmers and producers to proactively manage biosecurity, compliance, and disease risk management.
Julian says the platform is constantly evolving with the addition of new features including emergency response planning tools, the eBAS digital biosecurity assessment tool, and wild bird tracking data.
He adds: “These features make biosecurity more practical and accessible for farmers, by bringing our four P’s – prediction, planning, preparedness and prevention – to life in meaningful ways.”
British Poultry Council chief executive, Richard Griffiths, says the organisation’s work with Livetec – and the use of the Livestock Protect Platform – has played a key role in strengthening preparedness across the poultry sector.
He says: “In an increasingly complex disease environment, the ability to plan, predict and prepare is critical.
“Biosecurity is a cornerstone of sector resilience; our partnership with Livetec reflects our commitment to taking a proactive approach to risk, rather than simply responding to it.”
Meanwhile, Julian says other highlights during the company’s 15th anniversary year include the launch of a range of training programmes to help improve farmer preparedness for disease outbreaks.
He explains: “These include the LTEC Academy – an eLearning platform dedicated to poultry biosecurity – and a series of African Swine Fever readiness workshops in conjunction with industry.
“Notifiable and endemic diseases remain significant threats to the agricultural industry and ensuring people feel informed, confident and prepared to deal with disease outbreaks will continue to be a priority for us.”
Both Gordon and Julian say close collaboration with industry will continue to inform how the company works with farmers to improve their biosecurity, disease prevention and response management skills.
Gordon adds: “As we look ahead, I’m confident that by continuing to combine experience with innovation, and data with on-the-ground understanding, we can help farmers face whatever comes next with greater clarity and confidence.”
