increase font size
A bird’s eye view of how GEA’s Walkover teat sprayer works.
Milking technology specialists GEA, in partnership with agricultural AI start-up AgriAI, have announced the launch of their walkover teat sprayer, designed to reduce mastitis cases and labour requirements, while optimising animal welfare.
According to DairyNZ, mastitis in the New Zealand dairy industry, brings with it an average cost of $180 per cow, per year, meaning a typical herd of 300 mixed-age cows are likely to see an accumulative loss of $54,500/ annum. Teat spraying post- milking has been proven to reduce the incidence of new mastitis infections by 50%, but manual teat spraying requires additional labour, but if applied inadequately can lead to inconsistent results.
Back in 2022, GEA introduced the iSPRAY4 on-platform teat sprayer for rotaries, featuring four nozzles and utilising crossfire spray action to cover both the teat barrel and teat end. Recognising that 70% of cowsheds in New Zealand are a herringbone layout, GEA saw an opportunity to build on the success of the on-platform teat sprayer and develop an effective walkover teat sprayer suitable for both rotary and herringbone cowsheds.
Said to be a gamechanger for boosting udder health, the new walkover teat sprayer is equipped with advanced AI-driven camera technology that offers realtime udder tracking and timed sequential spraying, instead of the more typical break-beam sensors. This delivers a thorough coverage of the front and back of the teats as the cow walks over the unit, regardless of her speed or how close the following cow is. These features are said to set it apart from other products on the market, ensuring superior teat spray coverage as cows exit the cowshed.
The sprayer also includes sensor technology to detect when nozzles need cleaning and automatically sprays water to ensure they remain unobstructed. Built entirely of stainless steel for durability and strength, it also features four nozzles and a crossfire spray like the on-platform teat sprayer.
The product is collaborative effort of GEA’s New Zealand-based Product and Technology & Innovation Teams, and AgriAI, looking to address the challenge of maximising milk quality and yield without compromising animal welfare.
North Canterbury dairy farmer and recently-elected deputy chair of DairyNZ, Cameron Henderson, is enjoying a huge reduction in irrigation water use after converting a pivot irrigator to drag perforated drip tubes across the ground instead of elevated sprinkler heads.
Agco Corporation has unveiled plans to build a new Parts Distribution Centre (PDC) at Amnéville (Les Portes de l’Orne) on the outskirts of Metz in the Mosselle region, just 12km from its existing Ennery site.
Dutch manufacturer Hanskamp, perhaps best known for its Cow Toilet that collects urine, has developed a mobile unit to automatically feed concentrates to individual dairy and beef cattle while they are out in the field.
An interesting concept emerged at the recent EIMA show in Italy, where Italian company Aries - a front linkage manufacturer - showed its concept FL S3 Tele-End telescopic front-end loader for tractors.
While most New Zealand farmers operate with animals at pasture all year round, unlike their European counterparts, several operations in the South Island have invested in cow barns to beat the often-inclement weather.
Whatever an animal is raised for, it deserves a good life — and just as importantly, a “good death”.
North Canterbury dairy farmer and recently-elected deputy chair of DairyNZ, Cameron Henderson, is enjoying a huge reduction in irrigation water use after converting a pivot irrigator to drag perforated drip tubes across the ground instead of elevated sprinkler heads.
OPINION: Without doubt, a priority of the Government this year will be to gain traction on the elusive free trade deal with India.
Rugby league legend Tawera Nikau is set to inspire, celebrate and entertain at the East Coast Farming Expo's very popular Property Broker's Evening Muster.
The first FMG Young Farmer of the Year Regional Final will kick off at the Helensville Showgrounds this Saturday.
Jonathan Jamieson, a Lincoln University student, has been named as the latest recipient of Ravensdown’s Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship.
OPINION: A keen pair of eyes wandering down the main street of the hub of the Horowhenua, Levin recently came…
OPINION: The demise of Organic Dairy Hub is official.
