Cashing in on goat fibre
Last month's inaugural New Zealand Cashmere Conference saw the opening of a new fibre processing facility.
A recently introduced premium range of goat feeding equipment from Stallion Plastics should hit the shelves in time for this year’s kid rearing season.
With a growing dairy goat milk industry – no doubt driven by intolerances to cow’s milk – the range is a first of its kind in New Zealand. It came about because the manufacturer has seen goat farmers trying to modify dairy calf feeding equipment, to work with goat kids.
While there is an obvious difference in size between the two species there is also a need to take into account the inquisitive nature of goats, which will climb like the proverbial mountain breed and get inside the feeders,
“As part of the product development we spent a lot of time on goat farms, talking to users and understanding the behaviour of the animals,” says Grant Allen of Stallion Plastics.
“This new range will help them get the job done efficiently and cost effectively with as little hassle as possible. Feedback from initial users is showing that the products are performing better than expected.”
The range offers the ability to feed milk, hay and meal to suit all applications. Milk feeders can be fence mounted or ground anchored and offer a choice of 8 or 15 teats. Capacities range from 25 to 90L. All are fitted with tough goat teats for a long life.
The hay feeders have 12 small holes to ensure goat kids pull out the appropriate amount of hay at each bite. Meal feeders are offered with a choice of 15 or 30kg capacity and a three- or six-hole design. These are engineered to be mounted high on a fence to allow kids to step up, but not to spoil the meal.
As part of the package all mountings are adjustable and have galvanised frames, and where necessary are fitted with carrying handles to enable easy use.
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…
OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.