One Smart Upgrade: How Dubbo Cut Incidents and Costs with Better Matting
Quick Snapshot
Three-stage rollout. 1,262 m² covered.
Dubbo RLM tackled slip risks and surface wear by replacing deteriorated matting from another supplier with Numat’s YoungStar 32. After a successful side-by-side trial on their weighbridge, they committed to a full upgrade.
The result? Better welfare, faster washouts, and a system that’s paying for itself week after week.
Client Profile
Client
Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets.
Saleyard Manager
Harry Brennan.
Location
Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia.
Catchment Area
Western New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland.
Operational Scope
200,000 cattle sold each year.
Project overview
Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets first approached Numat in 2023, beginning conversations around improving animal safety and surface performance within their saleyard operations. The key focus was reducing slips and improving welfare in high-traffic areas like the lead-up to scales and laneways. As one of Australia’s busiest saleyards, Dubbo services a vast catchment across Western NSW, South Australia, and Central to Northern Queensland.
This case study shows how a regional saleyard tackled ongoing issues of lameness, slipping, and tripping by replacing deteriorated rubber matting from another supplier with Numat’s YoungStar 32, our high-performance rubber mat specifically designed for durability, grip, and long-term animal welfare. The difference in quality and performance has been clear from day one.
"The mats are paying for themselves every week... We believe that if we continue installing more of it across our facility, we’ll continue to provide one of the best facilities in Australia for moving cattle from."
The Numat solution
Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets selected YoungStar 32 mats for their upgrade. Across three stages of installation, they ordered:
- May 2023: YoungStar 32 (58m²)
- July 2024: YoungStar 32 (48m²)
- September 2024: YoungStar 32 (1,156m²)
The Dubbo team initially trialled YoungStar mats on the weighbridge area, validating product performance before committing to wider rollout. They set up one set of scales with Numat matting and left another unmodified, allowing a clear, side-by-side comparison. It was a smart move that gave them real-world usage data and visible proof of how much better the surface performed in terms of safety and welfare.
The mats were installed in high-pressure zones. The goal was to improve livestock handling safety and reduce the frequency of injuries. These areas had previously been surfaced with lower-grade rubber matting from another supplier, which had deteriorated over time and was no longer providing the required level of protection. To address this, the Dubbo team selected Numat’s highest-quality mat, YoungStar 32, ensuring maximum durability, grip, and long-term animal welfare performance.
Installation was carried out by the Dubbo team themselves, highlighting just how simple and straightforward the process is. With minimal tools and some basic prep, the mats went down quickly and easily, keeping disruption to a minimum.
Project scope & timeline
- First Order: May 2023
- Install Areas: Lead up to scales, laneways
- Total Area Covered (to date): 1,262m² across three stages
- Next Planned Stage: Similar area (~1,156m²) in upcoming order
Results & benefits
Over a five-month monitoring period, no animal welfare incidents were recorded on the scales fitted with Numat rubber matting, compared to three incidents on original concrete-floored scales.
In the laneways:
- Unmatted areas saw approximately 10 welfare-related incidents
- Numat-lined lanes recorded just 1 incident
The upgrade improved animal outcomes and reduced labour associated with yard washouts. Maintenance was minimal, just a few re-screws due to poor concrete underneath, and the overall performance has remained consistent.
“We want to build a reputation where livestock that come through Dubbo are treated with the best animal welfare in mind, and if we can do anything to prevent lameness or slipping and tripping, then we’ll do that.”
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Why YoungStar 32
For Dubbo’s high-traffic saleyard environment, YoungStar 32 offered the best combination of grip, durability, and long-term performance.
Designed with the needs of stock yards, sale yards and abattoirs, in mind. YoungStar is a built-tough rubber matting system that’s simple to install, easy to clean, and an exceptional performer under pressure. Its well-placed lugs are designed to stop cattle slipping and dramatically reduce the incidence of falls and injuries.
Features
• 18mm thick base with 14mm high square lugs (total thickness 32mm)
• Fully vulcanised sealed rubber (doesn’t hold moisture or bacteria)
• Stainless-steel fixing system (no protruding metal parts)
Dimensions
Thickness: 32mm
Length: 2100mm
Width: 900mm
Weight: 50Kg (Approx)
Agri consultant Carl Archer was involved in the project, guiding Dubbo through product selection and planning. The entire project was coordinated by our Toowoomba office. Feedback from the team highlights that Harry was approachable, clear in purpose, and committed to making the right decision. He ensured a collaborative process, involving other saleyard stakeholders, and was proactive in following through.
