Saturday, 29 August 2015 14:00

Heat detection made simpler with paint

Written by 
Tail painting is still widely used for heat detection in herds. Tail painting is still widely used for heat detection in herds.

Tail painting remains the most widely used form of heat detection in New Zealand, according to GEA FIL, the makers of Tell Tail heat detection paint.

FIL says Tell Tail, made and sold in NZ for 25 years, is proven and cost-effective, designed specifically for dairy cow heat detection. 

Product manager Wayne Cockburn says the product is unique and seen by farmers as the best tail paint available.

Innovation over 25 years has made the paint brighter, easier to apply and longer lasting, he says. It’s the only locally made tail paint containing fluorescent pigments -- six colours -- enabling farmers to devise a painting plan for each stage in detection to pregnancy. 

The applicator cap was developed 20 years ago, taking away the hassle of a can and brush. It is durable enough to last up to 21 days on the cow, subject to conditions and correct application, and when the cow is mounted will break down to provide easy visual indication.   

Cockburn says testing on competitor products shows most came off the animals too quickly; some didn’t rub off when the animal was mounted. “We continually benchmark against our competitors, so that FIL products stay abreast of the market.”

Another FIL product is Detail -- a water-based paint used by a growing number of farmers because convenient 10L pails and added benefits better suit it to larger herd applications.

FIL national sales manager Colin May and area managers are at hand to work with farmers in implementing practical herd management systems.  

Says May, “FIL’s colour process of heat detection is a simple tool, enabling quick identification of cows coming into or on heat. For example, we paint the cows with red tail paint about three weeks after calving. When the paint has been rubbed that indicates the cow has started her cycle and then green tail paint is applied. In cases where it hasn’t been rubbed, farmers are advised to involve a vet.”

When green paint is rubbed this identifies cows coming into heat on a daily basis. After AI, cows should be painted with blue; if the paint rubs off, the cow is not pregnant. And yellow should be applied once the pregnancy is confirmed. 

The tail paints are sold in rural retail stores.

Tel. 0508 434 569

More like this

Elite heifer team unveiled

The highly anticipated 2023 Discovery Project team has been revealed, marking an exciting milestone for New Zealand Holstein Friesian breeders.

Cow, calf nutrition go together

The lead up to another calving period means the next few weeks offer an opportunity to meet the nutritional demands of your cows.

Featured

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

National

Govt urged to reduce ETS units

The Climate Change Commission wants the new Government to reduce NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction volumes as son as…

Dairy sheep, goat woes mount

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand…

Machinery & Products

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…

Can-Am showcases range

Based on industry data collected by the Motor Industry Association, Can-Am is the number one side-by-side manufacturer in New Zealand.

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Papal visit

OPINION: European farmers are going to extreme lengths to have their message heard.

Thai egg tarts

OPINION: The hustle and bustle of one of Bangkok's most popular fast food outlets may feel a world away from…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter