Smart Machines: Oxin gains traction in the US
Marlborough-based agritech company Smart Machines has reached a significant milestone in its mission to revolutionise vineyard management.
Te Pari says the range of patented products – created by Taihape farmer John Fenemor – have been designed to minimise lamb distress and increase efficiency during lamb docking and tailing procedures.
Lambs are placed into the apparatus and cradled by rollers as they move through the system, allowing farmers easy access for docking and tailing procedures.
The Vetmarker product range is patented, with bespoke features to ensure lambs land on their feet when exiting and a spray unit to mitigate flystrike.
Te Pari global sales manager Jeremy Blampied says the acquisition means the patented products will remain under Kiwi ownership and product manufacturing will shift from the North Island to Oamaru.
“We are delighted to introduce the state-ofthe- art Vetmarker products into our Te Pari offering,” he says. “They are complementary to our sheep-handling portfolio and fit nicely within the livestock handling and animal management ecosystem.”
With a global distribution reach, Te Pari plans to export the Vetmarker system to farms around the world, particularly in Australia and the UK.
Noting a global shift towards precision animal management, where animals are managed on an individual basis – particularly in Australia and the UK – Blampied says the Vetmarker product range aligns with this. He adds that while NZ will always be a key market for Te Pari, there are now more than 75 million sheep in Australia, and 20 million sheep in the UK.
Fenemor Innovations owner Gillian Fenemor says the time is right to sell the product line and she is thrilled the Vetmarker system will stay under Kiwi ownership with Te Pari.
“We started everything from scratch and are proud of what we have achieved over the years,” she says. “We have also been Te Pari customers for 25 years, so look forward to seeing the Vetmarker continue under their ownership.”
