Shearing legend hooked on CanAm
Sir David Fagan, world-renowned competitive sheep shearer with 642 shearing titles worldwide and a knighthood to his name, now runs beef and dairy operations near Te Kuiti with wife Wendy and son Jack.
The need for a portable shearing/ clipping machine that could be used in stockyards prompted David Short to invent the Handypiece back in 2008.
Offering the main benefit of working anywhere without mains power, Handypiece allows users of all abilities to keep on top of those dirty jobs, resulting in better animal health and efficiency. Cleverly designed, the brushless motor means the battery lasts longer, making it possible to crutch from 300-400 sheep with a single charge.
The Handypiece Pro has the added feature of variable speed from 2600 – 3500rpm, allowing dagging, crutching and trimming cows’ tails at a midspeed of 2800rpm, while those wanting a superior cut while shearing can run at the maximum speed. In the case of alpaca shearers, they can use a traditional, slim handpiece, while reducing the speed to that of a clipper.
Being a traditional handpiece, the device takes all standard combs & cutters of any brand the user prefers, yet is still available at a reasonable price. The Handypiece also can be customised for left-handed users, or alternatively assembled with the cord exiting from the middle of the motor, meaning the unit can be used by both left, and right-handed operators.
During the National Fieldays the kit will feature two 6 amp/hr lithium-ion batteries, a battery charger, heavy-duty leather belt, holster and pouch, alongside a 5m extension cord and carry bag.
Newly appointed National Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos says his team is ready, excited and looking forward to delivering the four-day event next month.
More than 70 farmers from across the North and South Islands recently spent a dayand- a-half learning new business management and planning skills at Rabobank Ag Pathways Programmes held in Invercargill, Ashburton and Hawera.
Government ministers cannot miss the ‘SOS’ – save our sheep call - from New Zealand farmers.
A tax advisory specialist is hailing a 20% tax deduction to spur business asset purchases as a golden opportunity for agribusiness.
Sheep and beef farmers have voted to approve Beef + Lamb New Zealand signing an operational agreement between the agricultural sector and the Government on foot and mouth disease readiness and response.
The head of the New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers organisation NZKGI says the points raised in a report about the sector by Waikato University professor Frank Scrimgeour were not a surprise.