Bunbury processor makes AI primary for sheep counts

• AI is now the primary method used to count sheep at V&V Walsh’s Bunbury processing facility.
• The move signals growing adoption of automation and data-driven traceability in South West agriculture.
• Processors expect gains in counting accuracy, operational efficiency and supply-chain transparency.
• Local producers may see faster reconciliations and more consistent lot-level data for sales and compliance.

What changed at the Bunbury facility

V&V Walsh has shifted to artificial intelligence as the primary source for sheep counting at its Bunbury processing plant in the South West. The company says the technology will underpin routine counting tasks previously done by manual checks and basic electronic counters.

Why it matters

Accurate counts are essential for livestock processors: they affect throughput planning, billing, biosecurity records and producer payouts. Using AI as the primary counting source can reduce human error, speed processing and create consistent digital records for traceability.

How the AI is likely being used

While V&V Walsh has framed this as an AI-first counting approach, the tools commonly used in such deployments are computer-vision systems combined with machine-learning models that detect and count animals as they move through chutes or lairage.

These systems typically integrate with existing operational software so counts feed into weight capture, scheduling and invoicing workflows in real time, improving reconciliation between delivered and processed stock.

Implications for farmers and the supply chain

Local producers in the South West can expect more timely and consistent reporting from the processor, which helps with livestock management and financial reconciliation. Better digital records also strengthen supply-chain traceability for customers and regulators.

There may be workforce impacts for roles focused on manual counting, but processors often redeploy staff to oversight, data-validation and animal‑welfare monitoring tasks that leverage the new systems.

Where this fits in broader agricultural tech trends

Adopting AI for livestock counting reflects a broader push across agriculture to digitise core operations — from farm sensors and on‑truck scales to abattoir automation and blockchain traceability projects. Regional processors backing these technologies accelerate uptake among local suppliers.

Next steps and what to watch

Watch for announcements from V&V Walsh on rollout details, integration partners and performance metrics such as counting accuracy and processing time improvements. Producers should ask how count data will be shared and reconciled with on‑farm records.