For livestock operators across Australia, balancing productivity, compliance and workforce pressures is becoming increasingly complex. Rising operating costs, constrained access and ongoing driver shortages are forcing businesses to look for smarter ways to move more freight without increasing fleet size or risk.
For Bloomfield Livestock, based in regional Victoria, the solution was found through a structured move into Performance-Based Standards (PBS) and accreditation under the LRTAV High Productivity Livestock Vehicle (HPLV) Scheme, supported by targeted engineering and compliance guidance.
To support the process, the business engaged BTT Engineering. Acting as a single point of contact, BTT Engineering coordinated the entire HPLV application and completed the HVLP Accreditation Scheme audit, ensuring that vehicle configurations, operational systems, and documentation aligned with scheme requirements. This streamlined approach reduced the need to work with multiple consultants and made the process more manageable.
Moving to higher productivity combinations
Bloomfield Livestock operates a modern, well-maintained fleet focused primarily on livestock transport. During peak harvest periods, the business also undertakes grain haulage, transporting locally grown cereals from farms to grain bunkers and resellers.
Before moving into PBS and the HPLV Scheme, Colin Bloomfield says the main challenge was staff shortages, reflecting the difficulty of managing personnel and resources efficiently within the existing operational setup. Instead of adding trucks or increasing driver numbers, Bloomfield Livestock explored higher productivity combinations as a way to move more freight per trip, reducing truck movements and easing operational pressures.
To operate under the LRTAV High Productivity Livestock Vehicle Scheme, vehicles and operations must meet several requirements, including:
• Approved reference vehicle designs with prescribed axle spacings and dimensions
• Minimum vehicle standards, such as road-friendly suspension, compliant braking systems, correct road train signage and ADR 80/02 emissions compliance
• Participation in Road Infrastructure Management (RIM) or a Telematics Monitoring Application (TMA)
• Operation under an approved maintenance management scheme
• Compliance with all LRTAV HPLV operating standards and conditions
For Bloomfield Livestock, the process largely involved documenting and demonstrating systems already in place, rather than changing how the business operated day to day.
Since gaining approval to operate B-triple combinations, Bloomfield Livestock has seen clear improvements.
Colin explained, “You can get two loads done in one trip,” highlighting the efficiency gains and reduced number of truck movements.
Higher payloads and fewer trips have helped ease pressure on drivers, improved scheduling, and delivered cost efficiencies across fuel, maintenance, and labour – all while maintaining strong compliance, maintenance, and animal welfare standards.
When asked about the support he received from BTT Engineering’s compliance and audit team, Colin said, “It’s saved me a lot of headaches… dealing with BTT has been very good – Paul always answers the phone and Sharon’s easy to talk to.”
When asked what advice he would give other livestock operators considering PBS or HPLV accreditation, Colin said, “I would highly recommend anyone to get it, because it saves on labour and frees up a truck as well.”
His experience demonstrates that operators with strong compliance and maintenance systems can achieve significant productivity gains by taking a structured and well-planned approach.
For more information, please visit bttengineering.com.au.