Two new Irish machines set for Fieldays debut
Released in Europe in 2024 and having just arrived in time for National Fieldays, Giltrap Agrizone will be exhibiting two new machines from Irish manufacturer Malone Farm Machinery.
The Combi Clamp Sheep handling system is most commonly used for dagging, weighing, drenching and vaccinating, but it is also well suited for foot paring and mouthing.
The manual operation gives the user greater control over slight adjustments and creates a quiet operation for improved stock flow. A bonus is its affordability and durability, offering years of maintenance-free use.
The Combi Clamp can also be tailored to suit many farming operations, with a wide variety of optional extras – including three-way drafting, wheel and weigh gear attachments.
“I’m very pleased with the Combi Clamp set up,” says user Les Scott.
“Since August, we have been drenching, dagging, tagging and doing pre lamb work with ewes. We no longer seem to need the contractor with the conveyor, so – in that short time – we have come close to paying for it.”
Scott says the system is great for a variety of jobs and he finds the three-way drafting a great addition.
Meanwhile, the company’s cattle handling equipment is user friendly. The system comes with an auto catch head bail, with a durable range that suits all types of New Zealand beef cattle. The basic crush comes standard with practical features for safety and ease of access to the animal. There’s also a choice of vet and vetless models with parallel squeeze option, which all feature the auto head yoke. This can also be alternatively purchased as a standalone unit to be incorporated into existing systems.
During product development, the company put a significant effort into reducing rattling noise, making the crush pleasant to use for operators and keeping cattle calm and relaxed. It says this results in the most common feedback, that the product is clearly designed by a farmer who understands livestock.
Combi Clamp will be attending all three regional field day events.
The ongoing success of the company’s product range sees two new faces joining the sales team. Scott Hassall will oversee sales throughout the South Island, with Claudia Fraser looking after the North Island.
Australian dairy farmers supplying Fonterra are getting an opening weighted average milk price of A$8.60/kgMS for the new season or around NZ$9.26/kgMS - NZ74c less than New Zealand suppliers, based on the current exchange rate.
Taranaki veterinarian Dr Rob Mills is the new president of New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA).
Input costs can make or break a season for farmers and electricity is one of the largest expenses.
Zespri says global sales for the 2024-25 season topped $5 billion on the back of strong demand and market returns.
Massey University is returning to the Fieldays with a future-focused, solution-driven theme, showcasing research that delivers practical advancements in agricultural efficiency, sustainability and longevity.
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.
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