increase font size
Shaun Gardner
When Shaun Gardner did his homework on full autumn calving last season, he realised he'd need every heat detection advantage.
"With autumn calving, cows are likely to cycle, or are harder to pick up on heats," says Shaun.
Silent heats during wet winter months can drag down submissions, impacting six-week in-calf and empty rates.
Shaun says he asked around and FlashMate was consistently the answer.
The top autumn-calving herd in New Zealand for reproduction statistics is Dan and Abbie Hinton at Eureka, Wakato, who have been using FlashMate for six seasons.
Shaun and Michelle Gardner run 120 cows on their Waiiti dairy farm in Taranaki.
"After two weeks using them, I felt very comfortable that the right cows were going up for AB," Shaun said. Now, even his four-year-old daughter can spot cows on heat.
Then came the added advantage of detecting silent heats, quickly covering the investment right there and then.
"With FlashMate we picked up cows that we wouldn't have seen, with slightly lower heats and less rubbing," said Gardner.
Because it is touch-sensitive, when cows are quietly cycling, they still receive attention from other cows, which sets FlashMate off.
Overseas studies show silent heats can range 10 to 20% of herds. The wider product experience got the thumbs-up from Shaun.
"I had none come off the cows in the first six weeks. I was very, very happy with that!" FlashMate sticks firmly to cow hair, which stays with the cow a lot more during winter.
Shaun believes FlashMate takes away decisionmaking stress. He doesn't have to worry if he goes away for a weekend, that staff can see a flashing light and pull them out with no hesitation.
Visit FlashMate at the National Fieldays at site PC4.
Already causing a stir in the burgeoning ute sector, JAC (“Jack”) has raised its profile by being named as the latest major sponsor of June’s National Fieldays, where it will officially introduce its top-of-the-line T9 4WD double cab ute to the market, joining its fleet of 100% EV and Cummins diesel trucks.
With two months until National Fieldays at Mystery Creek, organisers say 90% of sites have been booked by exhibitors.
Rearing facilities should be set-up and maintained well to ensure calves stay healthy.
As calving approaches, farmers need to get their teams ready for what lies ahead in the coming months.
During the transition from dry to milking cows, it’s crucial to manage their health effectively to ensure their reproductive performance, production, and longevity aren’t compromised.
New Zealand’s dairy sector cannot expect India to be a market for all its dairy products.
Meat processor ANZCO Foods’ net profit has plunged on the back of lower market returns which squeezed margins and impacted business performance.
OPINION: Most people will be aware of the Government's plans to boost coal, oil and gas production to meet energy requirements.
AgriZeroNZ has entered a new partnership with Britain's national innovation agency, Innovate UK.
Twenty rural community hubs across New Zealand will receive $5,000 to upgrade their facilities having been selected as the winners of Rabobank's Community Hub Competition.
As the dairy industry prepares to celebrate its top achievers at an awards night this Saturday, attendees are being warned to be aware of protests planned outside the venue – Baypark Arena, Mount Mauganaui.
OPINION: Farmers won't get any credit for this from the daily media, so Milking It is giving the bouquets where…
OPINION: The Advertising Standards Authority’s 2024 report revealed that not only is social media rotting our brains, it is also…
