A top price of 2,700gns was achieved and 12 lots sold for 2,000gns or more when the Goostrey herd of Holsteins and Aryshires was dispersed for Griffiths Farming, Cheshire.New Products
Getting best out of EBVs - A NEW tool in the armoury of sheep farmers intent on improving their flocks has been launched by MLC’s Signet Breeding Services.
Accuracy Values have now been compiled to give farmers an accuracy rating for Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs).
Samuel Boon, MLC’s Signet Breeding Services manager, said: “Breeding merit can never be predicted with 100 per cent accuracy using EBVs, but this powerful new tool will help ram buyers get the very best out of EBVs. “Accuracy values are particularly useful when assessing traits of low heritability, such as litter size, because they indicate how much reliance can be placed upon the EBVs produced.”
Details on 01908 844195.
For poultry industry
TWO new products have been launched by Lohmann Animal Health for the poultry industry. First is a live vaccine – AviPro ND C131 – for the control of Newcastle disease. Suitable for broilers, layers and breeders, it is a cloned strain of the la sota virus.
The company said clone vaccines were more stable than mixed virus strain vaccines, ‘as they contained only one set of genetic information, giving more predictable performance’. The new vaccine can be used on chicks from 14 days of age and can be administered via drinking water, spray or eye-drops. It is available in packs of 1,000, 2,500, 5,000 and 10,000 doses.
The second product is Lovit LC-Energy, a liquid supplement to enhance utilisation of energy and protein during critical stages of production, when birds are subject to metabolic disturbances such as fatty liver disease and kidney disorders. It should be added to drinking water at a ratio of 1-2:1,000 litres for a period of three to10 days at key stages in production, up to laying peak and can be used throughout the broiler cycle. It is available in five-litre bottles and 25-litre canisters and is distributed in the UK by Shropshire-based Hatchery Healthcare.
Stretch film
A LONGER-LENGTH, lower thickness silage stretch film (above) – SilotitePRO – has been developed by bpi.formipac for combi-machines. Each reel is able to wrap more bales (as it is 40 per cent longer) meaning less time spent changing reels. The thinner gauge of film is the result of advances in technology and raw materials – and means oxygen permeability, strength and tear resistance are still high while there is less plastic to recycle once the bale has been used.
Cover-safe
A 10-PAGE booklet has been launched by United Phosphorus to accompany its Clovercare range and make it easier for farmers to identify clover-safe herbicides. Its Grasscare brochure has also been updated, covering other grassland products for leys that do not include clover.
To request copies call 01925 819999.
Measuring tenderness
A SMALL, portable machine that can accurately measure the tenderness of meat – Tenderscot – has been developed in conjunction with the SAC and successfully trialled by Quality Meat Scotland.
While the technology has been used for some time in the laboratory situation, it is believed this is the first time it has been offered in a portable unit that can be used in the commercial situation. SAC’s David Ross said the unit, which costs about £3,000, had been shown to give results that correlated more closely to taste panel results than most existing tests.
Corrector
A SILAGE corrector product has been launched by Trouw Nutrition to help dairy farmers counter some of the rumen issues associated with this season’s poor quality forages.
John Twigge, technical manager with the company, said the problem this year was not just excess rumen acid but the colonisation of the rumen with a particularly aggressive bacterial population that produces large amounts of acid.
He said introducing Maxcare Silage Corrector at 150g per cow per day would correct the balance between the acid-producing and acid-utilising micro-organisms in the gut.
Details on 01606 561287.
Protein
MOLE Valley Farmers has developed a rumen protected protein it claims will boost milk yields by one litre a day (when compared to standard soya).
Made from soya and specific sugars, ProPass is 45 per cent protein with a high level of that as digestible un-degradable protein.
Details on 01278 444829.
Forage maize varieties
A GUIDE to forage maize varieties has been published by Nickerson Direct – with a promise of a free soil analysis if the booklet generates a seed order.
The ‘Guide To Agronomy and Varieties For Forage Maize’ discusses soil nutrient status, seed bed preparation and choosing varieties.
Request a copy on 01472 370188.
Exclusive
CARRS Billington has become the exclusive compound feed agent for the Heatime Fertility System.
The company will install the heat detection system and is offering a six-month money-back guarantee (less the de-installation cost) if farmers are not satisfied with performance.
Mineral mix
DAIRY farmers can now access three of the UK’s top feed mineral supplements in one powder mineral mix. Bio-milker is mixed and supplied by Minsups, which claims the mix will improve cow health and fertility and, therefore, safeguard longevity. It will also increase milk yield by as much as 2.5 litres per cow per day.
Ben Shaw, of Minsups, said the product ‘covered all bases’, ‘whether you’re looking to reduce acidosis, boost hoof health or simply improve overall herd health and fertility in a bid to increase cow longevity’.
Details on 0800 3581545.
Injector gun
A NEW injector gun (below) for administering doramectin-based worm and scab medication intra-muscularly to sheep has been introduced by Pfizer Animal Health. The company claims the injector’s prime-and-push design allows a single arm movement to penetrate the skin and dispense the treatment, causing less fatigue than a squeeze injector. It has also been designed so dosage can be adjusted accurately in 0.25ml increments.
The gun costs £21 but is being offered free with promotional packs of Dectomax.
Supplement
AN energy supplement designed to stimulate milk production has been developed by Ufac-UK.
Xtra-Milk contains a range of oils, rather than a single source, and provides omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA to stimulate microbial activity in the rumen, helping to release more of the energy from forage and starchy foods.
The company claims using the product can boost milk production by more than two litres per cow per day at a cost of around 26p.
Details on 01638 665923.
Disinfectant
A NON-IODINE disinfectant has been developed by JohnsonDiversey, suitable for use as a dip, spray or foam, pre and post milking. Deosan Teatfoam is based on chlorhexidine and biguanide, which combine to produce a rapid acting germicide. It is designed to adhere well to the teat skin and also contains glycerol and eucalyptus oil to improve teat condition and reduce fly nuisance. Price start at £1.65 per litre.
Details on 01604 783256.
Rodent bait
RODENT bait previously only available in the public health sector can now be bought by farmers to control rats and mice. PelGar International has launched Roban Excel Block Bait – a difenacoum extruded block. Blocks offer advantages over other forms of bait as they are non-spill, easy to secure in bait boxes, less attractive to non-target animals and easy to monitor for bait-take. They are available in 1kg, 2.5kg and 8kg buckets.
Details on 01420 80744.
Limousin sire
A SON of Ronick Hawk – a Limousin that sired over 500,000 progeny in his lifetime – has been purchased by Genus ABS. Neil Wharton, beef director, said Machermore Augustus (below) would give customers the opportunity to ‘continue with a sire from a great pedigree’. Semen is expected to be available from spring 2008.
Source:
News - FG
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