New approach takes on Staph
A runny nose and fever can be caused by the flu, Covid, an allergy, or something completely different. Sometimes infected people have no symptoms.
Farm Medix late last year won two innovation awards: the Kudos Hamilton Science Excellence Award in the contest’s innovation and entrepreneur category for its Herd Screen contagious mastitis and selective dry cow tool; and the Westpac Auckland South Business Awards Excellence in Innovation Award.
Director Natasha Maguire says they were chuffed to be recognised amongst tough competition.
“We have piled effort into R&D and focused on making improvements [to enable] dairying to provide sustainable gains and maximise efficiencies.”
Innovation is developing things that are truly unique, says director Leon Spurrell.
“That is a challenge we enjoy; we want to make things easier for farmers.”
The company’s products include the Check-Up mastitis diagnostic tool, Farm-Chlor water chlorinator, Dermashield leg band, Herd Screen contagious mastitis test and the new Snapshot milk quality forensic tool for trouble-shooting bulk tank milk.
Spurrell says farmers and the industry as a whole have been very supportive, “and we are thankful for everyone’s input as part of winning these awards”.
“We are proud now to be exporting to many countries, even Russia. So long as farmers have problems we will be working on something for them. The industry needs to be efficient so that farmers can maximise profitability in a competitive market.”
Farm Medix has recently expanded into new premises at Waikato Innovation Park.
“These premises will provide an environment amongst like-minded people and more space for our herd-screening service” says Maguire.
