Turning data into decisions at Lone Star Farms

With 14 staff and 32,000 stock units, Carey Pawson-Edwards doesn’t have time for clunky admin. He needs his data in the right place at the right time to make fast, informed decisions. That’s why the FarmIQ integration with his Gallagher weighing system works so well, giving Carey the confidence and control to manage his animals with greater insights than ever before.

Carey is stock manager for the 6,000 hectare Caberfeidh Station, part of Lone Star Farms in North Otago. The operation winters a mix of sheep and beef, finishing up to 31,000 lambs and 1,000 cattle a year. It’s a huge responsibility but Carey thrives on it.

“Farming wasn’t where I started, but once I got the bug, I never looked back,” he says. “Now I’ve got a great team around me, and we’re focused on making the best possible decisions for production and profitability.”

 

Chasing premium markets

Lone Star Farms has set itself an ambitious goal: 70% of its production going into premium, value-added markets like Lumina Lamb, Handpicked Cattle, and Angus Pure. Achieving this requires more than just good stockmanship. It relies on traceability, accurate data, and the ability to demonstrate performance from paddock to plate.

“Premium markets are demanding,” Carey explains. “It’s not just about turning out an animal, you’ve got to have the data to back it up. EID tags, liveweights, condition scores - all of that information proves the integrity of our product and unlocks extra value.”

 

Streamlining processes

Before Gallagher’s FarmIQ integration, managing data across Caberfeidh Station was complex. Multiple systems meant duplication of effort and a lot of manual work.

“Now it couldn’t be easier,” Carey says. “You log in, connect, and the integration is live. From that point, you don’t touch it again. Every weighing session uploads to Gallagher’s cloud-based Animal Performance software, and within five to ten minutes, it’s in FarmIQ. It all happens in the background.”

For Carey, that simplicity matters. “With 14 people on the team and thousands of animals moving through the system, I don’t have time for clunky admin. Integration means the data is where it needs to be, when it needs to be there.”

With data flowing automatically into FarmIQ, Carey and his team can make faster, sharper decisions. Daily gains, average liveweights, condition scores, and treatment records are all at their fingertips.

“Timing is everything,” he says. “If we weren’t forecasting and monitoring, we’d miss opportunities. This way, we know exactly when lambs need to go, or when cattle are ready to move. That has a massive impact on production and profitability.”

The integration also supports on-farm management. If weight gains stall, Carey can quickly identify the cause – from illness to lack feed - and act.

“It backs up what we see in the paddock. If something doesn’t look right, the data helps us confirm it and take action straight away.”

 

Decision-making under pressure

Perhaps the biggest test came during the 2024 drought. Pasture covers dropped rapidly, feed was tight, and the market was volatile.

“It was going downhill pretty quick,” Carey recalls. “But because we had the data right there, things like liveweights, pasture covers, feed budgets, even market prices, we could make a call straight away. We shifted stock before prices fell further. That kind of decision-making only happens when you’ve got the information at the right time.”

Carey emphasises that the benefits extend beyond management. With so many staff on farm, having a shared system makes coordination smoother.

“The whole team can see where things are at. We’re not relying on scraps of paper or someone’s memory. Everyone is working off the same information, and that helps us stay aligned.”

It also boosts communication with Lone Star’s wider network. Data from FarmIQ supports reporting to company managers, suppliers, and market partners. “When you can show the numbers, it builds trust. People know you’re on top of it.”

 

Looking to the future

The Gallagher–FarmIQ integration is just the beginning. Carey sees potential for even more connectedness across systems.

“We’re already talking about what comes next, whether it’s data flowing back into Gallagher Animal Performance, or linking in with other platforms. Every step that reduces duplication and brings data together adds value for us as farmers.”

For now, he’s simply pleased with how seamless the integration has been. “From setup to daily use, it’s simple and it works. You can’t ask for more than that.”

When asked what he’d say to other farmers considering the integration, Carey’s answer is straightforward:

 

Key benefits for Lone Star Farms – Caberfeidh Station

• Simple setup: Two-minute login and connect to FarmIQ.
• Time savings: Data automatically flows from Gallagher Animal Performance into FarmIQ.
• Better decision-making: Live data supports fast, confident calls.
• Market alignment: Integration underpins traceability for premium products.
• Resilience: Real-time insights help manage drought and market shifts.
• Team alignment: Shared data keeps 14 staff on the same page.

 

Take a closer look at Carey's weigh system