Technipharm Logo
 
 
 

News

Coverage Of Teat Spray The Key To Reducing Mastitis

The Dairyman, March 2010

Download PDF News attachment
News items added 10-03-2010
 

The Value Of Pasture To The Nz Economy



Download PDF News attachment
News items added 28-02-2010
 

Livestock tracing scheme to be compulsory

Wed 27 Jan 2010

Download PDF News attachment
News items added 28-01-2010
 

Field Days Field Trip

View State Of The Art Diarying Technology



Download PDF News attachment
News items added 23-01-2010
 

Dairy Effluent Prosecutions

Nikki Edwards - Solicitor, Harkness Henry
www.harkness.co.nz

Download PDF News attachment
News items added 07-01-2010
 

Yards Made For Safe And Easy Handling

Countrywide - May 2008

Download PDF News attachment
News items added 28-12-2009
 

Seelect a Cow Premier Trophy Win



Download PDF News attachment
News items added 24-12-2009
 

Smart Technology Wins At Fielddays

Seelect a Cow supreme award



Download PDF News attachment
News items added 24-12-2009
 

New Dairy Northland



Download PDF News attachment
News items added 24-12-2009
 

Weigh Scales Correctly?

Dressing percentages for Cattle



Download PDF News attachment
News items added 21-12-2009
 

Pastrol Carbon Farming - Is It Profitable?

By Peter Floyd

Download PDF News attachment
News items added 21-12-2009
 

Wool The Way To Go For ETS?

Research Sheds New Light On Carbon

By Sandra Finnie

Download PDF News attachment
News items added 21-12-2009
 

Castrating Made Easier With Tirex



Download PDF News attachment
News items added 22-11-2009
 

Start Thinking Like A Cow



Download PDF News attachment
News items added 22-11-2009
 

First Bull Sale Sets The Benchmark

SMARTYARDS

A prominant Bull Breeder in the Waikato has and other successful sale, congratulations.
The yards used for this farm are TechniPharm smartyards, designed to ensure best animal behaviour and ergonomics and safety for the operator. When its time to do up your yards give us a call NZ 0800 80 90 98 or Australia 1800 124 034

Download PDF News attachment
News items added 27-10-2009
 

A Battler Against Bureaucracy

Dairy Exporter, October 2009

High input farming and the environment can go hand in hand, its not all about grass.
The future of sustainable farming in NZ will be a combination of NZ and European farming systems. This article is suggesting that farmers need to be open minded and that answers to the issues facing NZ dairy farmers in particular do not have to be reinvented. The know how of making a NZ EU system tick is available all you need to do is ask the right people. (see also www.cowhouse.co.nz)

Download PDF News attachment
News items added 27-10-2009
 

German Pump Deals To Serious Sludge

Great pumps for great problems

Talk to us about solving you solid sludge pumping issues, these pumps will pump just about anything.
NZ 0800 80 90 98 AUS 1800 124 034

Download PDF News attachment
News items added 27-10-2009
 

Triband castrator design a cut above

The Land - August 2009

Download PDF News attachment
News items added 22-08-2009
 

The Low Down On Bloodless Castration



Download PDF News attachment
News items added 11-08-2009
 

Switch to delayed 'eze' bloodless castration

The Land -30 July 2009

Download PDF News attachment
News items added 10-08-2009
 

When it comes to scanning we go anywhere!

When it comes to scanning we go anywhere!
This is at Alice springs on a property with 4000 head of cattle.

Martin went over to train the team there and help promote the scanner for TechniPharm for backfat and pregnancy testing.

Paddocks of 10.000 acres... But not a lot of grass…

If you have cattle or sheep need scanning call Martin Langridge @ Smartscan 021 737164

Martin has over 26 years experience in scanning real time.
Possibly the most experienced scanner in Australasia.

News items added 06-08-2009
 

NEW NEW NEW

TIREX Triband Castrator

We developed this superior quality castrator to give our clients an increased choice of options.
Technipharm is recognized as the home of superior castrating tools and this new TIREX is just what many farmers have been asking for. Full stainless componentry and solid moulded handles and slide guide, what’s more its ergonomically shaped for maximum working space between the legs. Handles lock over centre so you do not have to hold that ring open. After a full days work in the yard you can use the end of the handle to open a well earned beer!

This unit will sell at full retail $325.- +GST.
Special offer for a limited time at an introduction price of $295.- +GST you will also get a free box of rings (50)with your purchase.

News items added 20-06-2009
 

Fieldays 2009

Come see us at gate 1 - near the main entrance

Download PDF News attachment
News items added 10-06-2009
 

The new Fronteer in Dairy

The new fronteers in Dairy are setting the scene for new standards in animal welfare, sustainable production systems and production expansion.

Download PDF News attachment
News items added 17-05-2009
 

Dairy Exporter Article Charles Stewart SCC

Charles our specialist product advisor featured in an article in the Dairy Export March 2009

Download PDF News attachment
News items added 03-04-2009
 

SST Roadshow Waikato 09

SST , Dairy farmers have you heard? SST Roadshow Waikato Technipharm is currently conducting a Roadshow in the Waikato to introduce and show Dairy Farmers the benefits of its SST (Speed Sensitive Teatspray system) For this purpose a vehicle is fitted with a complete working SST teatspray system and DVD presentation which shows farmers how the systems works The system was developed to overcome all alternative auto teatspray systems failure in detecting the speed of cows and as a result missing or applying to much or not enough teatspray. Proper teatspraying is proven to aid significantly in the control of mastitis and Somatic Cell Counts. Automatic Teatspraying means the focus of the milkharvesting is uninterrupted which often means gains in milking time speed which ultimately results in savings in Labour and Machine running. This means cost savings and less environmental impact. With the highest payout from last year dropped to now third highest payout in history it’s of every farmers interest to reduce cost and increase labour efficiencies. Now with SST farmers have the opportunity to engage a truly automatic system which is fully automated and accurate, what's more they no longer are exposed to manual handgun vapours in the shed which can be a health hazard. The system was awarded an award at the last National Fieldays as part of its fully automated Seelect a cow drafting system, which uses SST to draft cows in line. Farmers interested in an on farm visit should call 0800 80 90 98 and register their interest

News items added 02-03-2009
 

Smart Technology helps Dairy farmers

Seelect a cow now a reality

Media release
10 June 2008

Smart technology helps dairy farmers manage their herds
Farmers are being offered an easier means of handling and sanitising cows after milking through smart technology that senses an animal’s walking speed.
Rotorua company Technipharm has worked with Industrial Research Limited (IRL) to develop a drafting and teat spraying system that was showcased at the 2008 Mystery Creek Fieldays and awarded the show’s Innovation Centre Equipment Entry of the Year title.
The system can detect where a cow is as the herd files out of the milking shed and adjust automatic teatspraying for maximum effect.
Teatspraying with products that disinfect and condition after milking is a proven tool in reducing the risk of mastitis, an infection that costs dairy farmers, on average, around $NZ12,000 a year.
Nozzles mounted under the concrete floor of the race that channels stock out after milking automatically spray cows’ teats but Technipharm’s Managing Director Harman Heeson says there can be a miss rate of five to ten per cent.
“Animals are not robots. When you automate something it usually delivers at regular intervals, but because cows are individual and move at different speeds, some of the teats are missed.”
Technipharm has been developing drafting and teat spraying systems over the last eight years. Two years ago the company approached IRL to help implement the concept behind Speed Sensitive Technology (SST™). Geoff Bates, Manager, Automation Development for IRL, says it includes a micro-processing control board designed to be electronically robust, including eliminating the risk of any breakage if an input, such as an electrical wire, touches an electric fence during installation or when using mobile equipment. The system can be used for a range of on-farm applications, as well as industry applications such as a car wash control system.
For Technipharm, IRL scientists have added unique software to create a system that can sense and monitor the speed of dairy cows as they enter the race. That information determines when teatspraying begins, and which nozzle should be used to most effectively reach its target.
The same technology is also being incorporated into drafting gates to improve animal handling.
Geoff Bates says the Speed Sensitive Draughter sorts the cows at the speed they are walking, keeping the animals calm and the herd moving.
“The system doesn’t stress animals – the gate comes across when the cow has moved through, but it’s also designed to come across quickly when they bunch up or start running. “
Technipharm says research and development into the new system has also had to focus on ensuring it is affordable and will cope with a robust environment.
“In New Zealand, we can solve just about every problem you find on a farm but the trick is to deliver solutions that don’t require farmers to write a big cheque and will cope with rugged conditions,” says Harmen Heeson.
Geoff Bates says IRL’s experience in developing technology that will cope with New Zealand conditions has played a big part in the innovation. The unit housing the technology is installed in the open and is regularly washed down and subjected to rainfall and sunlight.
“Almost every business that New Zealanders get involved in takes place in a rough environment, be it on a farm, up a mountain or out in the sea. We also have to design for the impact of sunlight which is harsher here than in most parts of the world so getting the packaging right for the environment is essential.”
Technipharm says its Speed Sensitive Technology products are unique and patents on them are pending.
At Mystery Creek it mounted a dynamic display demonstrating the technology in action by simulating how cows walk through the race and drafting gates at different speeds.
Contacts




www.technipharm.co.nz
www.irl.cri.nz



News items added 12-06-2008
 

National Fieldays 08 News

New site new products! right at gate 1

This year TechniPharm has a new site, (we are working hard at our new site as you can see!) we have left our familiar spot at the pavilion and are now at Gate 1... gate one is where most people enter feildays and leave fieldays.. so we are closer to you and very easy to find. Fieldays have created a new block of sites at gate one and made significant improvements to the facilities at this gate. Come through gate one and be right there where it counts at TechniPharm...

News items added 19-05-2008
 

DUNGBUSTER FEEDPAD CLEANING

No Labour or Water Auto Feedpad Cleaning

New Feedpad Dungbuster™ Automatic Feedpad Cleaner© System

TechniPharm is releasing a new Automatic Feedpad cleaning system.

Many dairy farmers already have a Dungbuster™ Automatic Yard cleaner installed in their Dairy shed and know how that system has made their life so much easier. And now there is the Dungbuster Auto Feedpad© cleaner and the good thing is, there is no need or little need for water use!

With TechniPharms experience in Automatic cleaning and solid effluent management this new system provides for a great solution to a dirty job and the good thing is its all labour free. Ideally the system is installed in new to be build feedpads, but existing feedpads can be modified.

For a base fee TechniPharm will in conjunction with the farmer and or local builder provide a feedpad and cleaning system design and costings. Upon purchase of the system part or all of the design fee is credited.

For your personal design consultation booking
Call TechniPharm 0800 80 90 98 and ask for Harmen
Or email hj@technipharm.co.nz
NEWS RELEASE




News items added 31-03-2008
 

Application rates SumpMaster Advance

get it right! use enviro nozzle and sumpmaster advance

The question related to application rates of the Sumpmaster Advance is answered below

The Sumpmaster Advance was developed to deal with a minimum of effluent and or maximum speed configuration.

Key elements in any Irrigator is how much energy does it absorb to be moving forward and how much it can put out to keep driving at the same time.
Variables like pump power and pressure have a lot to contribute.

The Sumpmaster Advance is driven directly off the main boom so there is no push pall click clack ratchet system (the latter needs peak energy to lock) The Sumpmaster advance as such is smooth in its ride as pressure is applied constantly.

A low application rate of say 80000 liters per ha (8 mm) means you need to do 4 runs
spreading with 25 meters or 3 runs spreading width 33 meters.
1 run in this example is 100 meters in length (a hectare is 100 by 100 meters) so 80.000 divided by 4 =
20.000 liters over 100 meters with spreading width 25 meters or 26666 liters with run off 33 meters.
20.000 liters over 100 meters =200 Liters per minute.
26666 litres over 100 meters =266 Litres per minute

Most pumps deliver 400 to 600 litres per minute at 60-80 PSI so you have potentially plenty of “over capacity” and presure (calculate pipe losses etc)

To get to 200 L or 266 L per minute you can either slow the unit right down and use a very small nozzle opening or at high speed using a slightly larger nozzle.
The faster the boom turns (more pressure) the faster the Irrigator travels.

The main thing which will assist you in an even spread is by adding a Enviro nozzle to the Irrigator. This will even out the spread of effluent and avoids to a large degree the overall and end of circle volume deposit common with traveling Irrigators without defuser.
The Enviro nozzle was developed over a number of years and at great expense so that a cone shape non blocking nozzle can be used with effluent. (common water irrigator defusers block up)


News items added 26-02-2008
 

Cow House Reliable Quality Products Brouwers TechniPharm

TechniPharm partners up with leading European manufacturer


TechniPharm partners up with leading European manufacturer of Cow house equipment

Indoor housing of cows, for part or all of the winter, late autumn and or early spring periods and or indoor farming around lake/river or environmentally sensitive area’s is set to fill a key role in New Zealand pastoral farming scenes.

Harmen Heesen, TechniPharms Group CEO is involved in various projects and evaluation of projects around the country and Australia, from a European background and with extensive in house farming experience and technical expertise, aswell as having a well established and leading trading company of animal handling and farm automation equipment this company is ideally positioned to provide very well thought out proven solutions.

Large buildings in which cows will spend considerable time demand a lot from inventory in this respect quality and good design will always pay off and be translated in less labour requirements, better cow health and less stress for the farmer. Investments are often made on a long term basis and as such are part of the key costings in ensuring the best profitability is maintained.

The company is teaming up with Brouwers Equipment of the Netherlands. Brouwers Equipment is a very large and well established Leading European manufacturer of specialist solutions and equipment used in indoor cow houses. Established in 1919 they supply a total cow house product range for the modern dairy farmer. Top Quality well proven and thought out equipment designs provide for the very best outcome for farmers. The company will import some specialist equipment direct, while other items will be produced in New Zealand

Managing Director Jan Lok from Brouwers Equipment says, Brouwers and TechniPharm are well matched having the same philosophy in area’s of importance to the farmer, 1) Animal Welfare has to be the key to best cow health and production results and 2) Ensuring farmers have the best choices of top quality designs in front of them so they can choose the very best solution for the job. We believe our partnership will serve the New Zealand and Australian farmers well and we invite them to join the already many thousands of farmers across Europe and North America using our equipment.


Interest in Cowhouse developments?

Contact: cowhouse@technipharm.co.nz
Or call Harmen on 021 6490 49


News items added 26-02-2008
 

TRIBAND GREEN RING LEADER

Ring Leader

TRIBAND GREEN makes castrating so much better and easier. agquip 07


News items added 18-09-2007
 

BIG Farms BIG Sheds BIG Results

cowhouse for you.......?

BIG Farms BIG Sheds, BIG Issues, BIG results……BIG Cow House

Over the past few years a new development of large in-house farming is taking foothold in at this stage mainly Southland. TechniPharms Dutch born founder Harmen Heesen has been involved with several projects as consultant and advisor, helping to blend the best of KIWI with the right aspects and experience of Northern Hemisphere in house dairy farming.

With a background in European and North American in house Dairy farming methods and having contacts around the globe, aswell as having 7 years NZ Dairy "coal face"farming experience and owning and running a successful Animal Handling and Farm Automation equipment company in both NZ and Australia for now over 20 years, Additionally at home I was exposed to what is involved in project management and architecture through my dads work. So combine all these facets and “ I find myself uniquely placed" to deliver a lot of know-how and “not thought of” design aspects and detail to these large specialised projects. “ “When you house 600 or 1000 cows there are many issues to consider. Particular animal welfare is a major, you put cows in a confined space, social dynamic and behaviour changes… if the design is not right, big problems can arise, ranging from cows developing arthritis in the joints, not being happy in the shed,” Location is an other major issue to consider, where do we place this often large building in relation to other existing structures. Is there enough room for feed out wagons, silage pits and so on, Effluent is significant; slurry (not dirty water) produced at a rate of 20-50.Cube per day or more is not something you wash away with a hose. Pumps normally sold for NZ effluent simply do not cut the mustard, or “crap” shall we say?

“When a farmer or builder engages me we spent quality time going over plans, concepts idea and cost benefits. At all times the focus is on animal welfare and overall farm production benefits. Getting to understand what drives a farmer and how to tailor the project is important, cow size, feeding philosophy, future breeding plans are all factors engineers or builders do not talk about, I do. The investment in a Cow house is to increase the bottom line, make working conditions superior to owners and staff, create better cow health and better production sustainability.

Contrary to some believes, a Cowhouse in New Zealand’s pasture based conditions is a key to being environmentally sustainable, adding control to the previous "always outside" uncontrollable environment.

I working together with a choice of reputable building companies and third party local contractors to get you the best results.

If you are embarking on a Cowhouse project “I guarantee you will significantly benefit from my engagement.” either for a few days to go over plans or to coordinate the entire project.

Want to know more email Harmen Heesen at cowhouse@technipharm.co.nz

News items added 18-09-2007
 

Necklamp Rubbers Research Prove Point

Shape and material choice vital

Research in Yoke Rubbers helps farmers

Technipharm has released a new neck holding rubber yokes for its Cattle Handling Range of Headbails and Handlers.

For years we have known that certain materials hold animals better than others, apart from force we knew there was more to it, shape and material density are all influences which determine a better hold.

We tested a range of rubbers and plastics aswell as material densities and shapes and found that with the same pressure applied on the neck different holding capabilities could be achieved. Some rubber material and shape could with the wrong pressure just about knock and animal out and other material would not hold at all. (Plastic being the worse material in holding grip)

After 2 years research and testing the various materials we now have developed a simple bolt on neckclamp rubber which is able to increase the holding ability significantly. It simply means farmers will be able to hold animals across the board and those with larger necks than heads much better than what they would with equipment which does not have the rubber necklamp yokes installed or is just bare steal or poly plastic lined.

According to Harmen Heesen Managing Director TechniPharm this is a significant breakthrough in animal handling. “this breakthrough will mean more farmers will be able to hold more animals without applying excessive force”

TechniParm manufactures in Tauranga and sells its Handling equipment Nation wide in NZ , In Australia and Canada they have licenced manufacturing distribution networks. Recent sales to Texas USA confirms this company is at the leading edge of Cattle handling equipment design.

The company claims that daily well over 100.000 animals move through their equipment some where in the world.

See also news Item Wilencote Breeding Stud


More information
0800 80 90 98
www.technipharm.co.nz






News items added 15-08-2007
 

NEW HOOFCARE SHOP

Tyres or Hoofs make sure they are in top condition

Hoofs on a cow are like tyres on your ute.. if they are not in tip top shape, performance will suffer! But at least on your ute you just replace a tyre and its fixed.... cows need a bit more attention.. preferably on the spot and sooner rather than later. More and more Dairy farmers recognise this now and are starting to take HOOFS seriously!

Having the right gear does make a huge difference and many farmers recongnise now that a Hoofcare facility is a good investment.... TechniPharms early beginnings started with a HOOFCLAMP, we sold thousands, we were the first company to recognise and specialise..... 20 years later we gone full circle and now introduce to you the HOOFCARE SHOP, a full range of leading hoofcare equipment which will help you to keep those hoofs in tip top shape...and to make your life easier and less stress full....what's more better Hoofcare means more milk and less cost.....(and a better vocabulary...)


BE HOOFSMART.....ALL YOU NEED FROM THE TECHNIPHARM HOOFCARE SHOP

www.technipharm.co.nz
0800 80 90 98

News items added 18-07-2007
 

An additional award was received by TechniPharm for its Rotating Yoke Headbail system.

WorkSafe

TechniPharm received an Award at Hamilton Beef Expo 06 for the secondary safety system, the award is a further recognition that the company is on the right track in providing the safest and most innovative headbail system in history. The Rotating Yoke Headbail has received 10 awards since its market launch in 2001.

The secondary safety system is incorporated in all Rotating Yoke Headbails and is combined with injection gate access. This means when injection of the neck is required a special gate opens up for arm access and by doing so automatically activates a secondary safety system which blocks the headbail from fully opening and as such avoid potential damage to the operators arm while injecting.
The system can also be activated when one is operating in front of the headbail, ensuring that under no circumstance, including operator error or mechanical failure the animal is slowed down significantly in moving forward or stopped all together and as such give the operator time to get out of the way. “in the end no one plans to be bowled over by a 1000KG bull, no matter what.”

The secondary safety system is designed for ultimate safety of the operator and animal, to the companies knowledge there is no second system like this on the market anywhere in the world.

Alternative systems may have “twin ratchets” or air rams, but that does not combine neck injection access and automatic release safety together.

Work Safe Vic. (Australian equivalent to OSH) has identified in its guide to Beef Handling a Practical Safety Guide that this system is desirable in a good and safe handling system.

Information on these and other TechniPharm safety features are available by calling 0800 80 90 98 or sales@technipharm.co.nz

News items added 04-04-2007
 

News release

RUDDWEIGH READY FOR EID

Ruddweigh is ready for EID...Panels, Readers, Monitors, Stick Readers, Tags and all items needed for an EID system are all ready for the market place early 2007.

The Ruddweigh brand is marketed and distributed by TechniPharm NZ. It provides you a complete EID package from one supplier, including handling equipment for Sheep, Dairy and Cattle.

The pending introduction of Electronic Identification of the Nations farm animals will cause a revolution in how we handle and record data. It will not only provide for a Bio security safe guard of which the benefits to most may seem intangible, more so it will provide on farm management systems and data recording which will lead to significant productivity gains.

The ability to identify animals as they come through a Handling system means fast and accurate recording is possible, historical data per animal will be available at an instant, data down loads and drafting options by a range of criteria on ones fingertips.

EID will lead to more animals being managed effectively by less people. With a reduction in available labour and an aging farming population, farmers need every bit of productivity gain they can get their hands on.

EID will also for many farmers provide them with a stepping stone into the technological age of farming.

Over the next few months TechniPharm will be at various shows and fieldays around the country and showing off their total Handling and EID systems.



More information needed

0800 80 90 98

www.technipharm.co.nz

News items added 11-01-2007
 

Welcome to the world of EID

Talk to the specialised TechniPharm Team about your EID requirements

Although EID is not yet compulsory in New Zealand, it is likely to be soon. Apart from the Bio security benefits, EID will enhance New Zealand farming output and your productivity and profitability. TechniPharm has invested heavily in ensuring we have a full package of solutions for you: tags, readers, panels, software, hardware and advise and support.
NZ farming will never be the same, its a revolution in the making...and the sooner you participate the sooner you will reap the rewards.

Call us today to discuss your anticipated needs. We can offer you a simple and free advise "buy off the sheet" solution, or do a full EID consultancy brief for you. The latter is offered on a cost recovery basis which is fully refundable upon any purchase. Call us today 0800 80 90 98 or email us sales@technipharm.co.nz

News items added 10-10-2006
 

Let us spray!

Sanitising teats after milking has always been a fundamental and widely accepted strategy for mastitis control.



The rationale is very simple: if a zero population of bacteria on the teat can be maintained it is impossible for the cow to develop a new intramammary infection.

However, the world is less than perfect, and in reality, zero bacteria on teat skin cannot be achieved or sustained. Bacteria from other cows or from the cow environment readily contaminate teat skin, even on an hour-to-hour basis. The key point is that it is a "numbers game", and the lower the average population of bacteria that management practice can achieve on the teat, the lower the probability of an infection developing.

Skin condition

Applying a sanitiser to the teats not only kills bacteria resident on the skin, it also keeps the teat skin in good condition, free of cracks and cuts that will harbour and provide growth sites for bacteria.

When teat skin dries out due to mud or wind, it can become very rough and may develop cracks, which entrap faecal and soil material that provide a nutrient reservoir for bacteria. For this reason, sanitisers contain an emollient to maintain skin moisture levels and prevent chapping and cracking.

Testing sanitisers

The outright bacterial killing power of the sanitiser is a key factor. For some time now, Dexcel has provided the dairy industry with a standard test of teat sanitiser effectiveness.

Under laboratory conditions, teats (acquired from meat processing plants) are immersed in a solution containing mastitis bacteria. For one group of teats the test sanitiser is applied, for a control group no sanitiser is applied. Teats are left for 10 minutes to allow the sanitiser to kill bacteria, and then are rinsed. The bacteria in the rinsings from teats that had the sanitiser applied are counted and compared with the bacteria count of the rinsings from the control teats.

Many sanitisers sold in New Zealand have been put through this test. To pass, the sanitiser must achieve a 1000-fold reduction in the number of bacteria rinsed from the skin when compared with the undipped control group. If a sanitiser does not work in this lab test, it is most unlikely to work in the field.

Teat sanitisers that have passed this test carry the words "Passed Protocol A 1997". Look for them when you buy.

Spray or dip?

Having established that you are using a product that efficiently kills mastitis bacteria, the next most important part of the control process is to make sure you apply it to the teat skin with good coverage.

In most countries this is achieved by dipping the teat in the sanitiser. In New Zealand we are paranoid about economies of time, so we have adopted the faster method of teat spraying. Spray application often does a bad job, and certainly much money is wasted by not achieving coverage on the teats.

Numerous experiments internationally have shown that teat dipping with a sanitiser reduces new mastitis infections (typically by 50%). But very little research has been carried out in New Zealand using spray application and also relating to the different set of bacteria that cause mastitis in New Zealand.

It should also be noted that the laborator,v test of sanitiser effectiveness as described above, involves dipping in the sanitiser, not spray application.

Teat spraying DOES work!

A recent Dexcel field experiment looked at the impact of teat spraying with sanitiser after milking on new mastitis infections and teat skin condition.

This study involved about 500 trial cows within five herds. One cow group did not receive teat sanitising, the other did, the study being over a whole season. The sanitiser used was an iodine-based formulation that had passed the Protocol A test. It included 9% emolient, and was used at a 1:4 dilution throughout the full-lactation.

Results showed reductions in new mastitis infections for the sanitised group, for all types of mastitis bacteria. In the case of the major mastitis pathogens, Strep. uberis infections were reduced by 72% and Staph. aureus infections by 55%. The reduction of Strep. uberis cases is particularly significant for New Zealand herds since this is our major mastitis problem. Teat skin abnormalities involving cracks, cuts and chapping, were reduced by at least 54% for those teats that were sprayed.

A very effective weapon

Teat spraying with an effective sanitiser over a whole lactation reduces new mastitis cases by at least 50% and achieves a similar reduction in teat skin abnormalities.

Murray Woolford
Dexcel Research

Reproduced with kind permission of New Zealand Dairy Exporter

News items added 06-09-2006
 

"Opinion of an astute farmer says all"

Wilencote a breeding stud with foresight

In 2003 it became apparent that a major upgrade into our cattle handling facilities was necessary and would be important to the future working operation of Wilencote Polled Herefords.

One of the things that I wanted to achieve with this project was to keep it simple and safe.

I spent some time at the cattle handling exhibitions at the field days and came away knowing that the Technipharm equipment would play a major part in that development.

There were a number of innovations that impressed me and not the least was the rotating yoke head bail and necklamp, which now I have worked with it for a few years has performed up to my expectations and beyond.

Having made the decision to install a Technipharm Extreme Handler and 3 sets of split sliding gates to section off the curved race the new cattle handling facility was built. It has now been in operation for 3 years and has been very rewarding as a work area that is safe and pleasant to use. Cattle seem to be drawn through the handler and are quietly bailed without any fuss. The company promotes that darker colours and good contrast between dark and light assist greatly in drawing the animals my experience confirms this

It becomes hard to imagine how one managed to work in the old environment where there was nothing more than just a headbail and a few timber side gates when the present set up offers so many advantages with what you can achieve in working with the cattle.

There is no doubt that it cuts both ways as the stock are more relaxed as they have become used to the new working environment and that is reflected in the ease with which they can be put through the system.

We perform a number of different tasks with a big range in size due to the different age groups and have no problems, as the Handler is very quickly adjustable and quiet. The kwiklock locking system is great, it’s quiet and it locks fast and positively without having to heave on handles

One of the handlers’ features that I like and which is very successful has been technipharms development of the necklamp.

Initially we found it worked well with the younger cattle but bigger bulls occasionally were able to get their heads above the holding area. The Design team came up with a modification that has completely solved this issue and the improvement has proved itself invaluable with our handling of our 2 yr sale bulls and has also enabled us to administer any oral products to our cows with ease. The fact that we can put extra leverage on the bigger bulls without having to resort to hydraulics or air operation means we can keep our investment down and performance up.

We have enjoyed the relationship that has grown with the team at Technipharm and their commitment to have a product that provides a safe and gratifying work experience and their back up if needed has been great.

We always look forward to working our Polled Herefords cattle and will enjoy using Technipharm handling products in the foreseeable future.

Peter Humphreys
Wilencote Polled Herefords
www.wilencote.co.nz



News items added 06-09-2006