Keep warm, boost weight
The missing link in getting maximum weight gain in your calves may be as simple as keeping them warm, says the Christchurch manufacturer of a range of woollen covers for young livestock.
So, the company set about trying to identify the needs for efficient break-feeding systems.
A major problem centred around the quality of imported poly-wires that were usually manufactured using a twisting process, that when wound up as multiple wires, when released, tended to coil up and tangle.
After several years of research, Strainrite identified a New Zealand-made wire, manufactured by braiding, that consequently made it very smooth. When released for winding, the NZ braid remains straight, with the chances of tangling greatly reduced due to its smoothness, alongside the added benefit of easily fitting 500 metres of wire on a standard reel.
The company says further research looked at the multiwire tread-in, that after extensive trialing led to the new pigtail multiwire tread-in. Able to be used for sheep and cattle of any size, the units are made from 6mm high tensile steel, with the NZ-made, goldfoot offering proven and exceptional groundholding capabilities. The design sees newly developed lugs that are wider and smoother with rounded edges to allow smooth passage of the braid. A unique feature is the downward aspect of the leg which enables the standard to be moved horizontally, without falling off the wires, while the insulated shaft enables easy installation onto a live fence.
Another time-consuming task is connecting all the polywires together at each end of each run, a problem addressed by the new Strainrite hotpost multiwire, used at both ends of a break fence to enable effective conductivity.
