Cordless handpiece proves popular
Two new products added to the hum on the Rurtec stand at Fieldays last month.
When animal hair falls out as it does during moulting in the spring, getting heat detectors to stay on a cow can be challenging, comments animal health company Rurtec.
Getting adhesive all the way to the skin certainly helps, the company says.
With the spray-on glue and new applicator, its Heatmark Ero achieves this and “sets a new standard for cost effective heat detection”.
The firm’s principal, Ian Carr, says the detectors can be pre-loaded into the applicator box and then removed to apply one at a time using the applicator block. “The result is quick, easy mess-free application of the detector across the backbone.”
There were a good number of big users among those trying the product last season, he says.
One was the Pye Group, South Canterbury, whose drystock manager Kris Murray says, “I’ve tried most of the heat detectors available and as long as they stick on good and show heats effectively then the choice really comes down to price.
“We tried Heatmark Ero on about 1500 heifers and found the spray-on glue and applicator system worked well for applying them in a race. Retention was good and we have ended up with good mating results. Price-wise, we couldn’t buy better so will be using them again.”
Heatmark detectors are available from vet/farm supply stores. Tel. 0800 RURTEC
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.