Getting sheep shape at Pyramid Farm
The vineyards at Pyramid Farm in Marlborough’s Avon Valley have never been run of the mill, with plantings that follow the natural contours of the land, 250 metres above sea level.
Hecton Products has been in the sheep handling business for more than 40 years now and its Sheep Handler and Weigh Crate products are common sights around the country.
The Sheep Handler has a reputation for speed and versatility. Built for strength, it is the perfect unit for dagging, crutching, bellying, foot trimming, vaccinating, wool sampling, mouthing, eye wigging, loading of AI cradles or any task requiring a sheep or goat to be immobilised on its side.
Stock are held in a comfortable position during operation allowing full access to the underside of the animal, no heavy lifting is required and operation is easy on the back.
The Sheep Handler is available in air-operated and manual (no air required) versions.
Hecton Products is also offering – for a limited time – a promotional price for its Weigh Crate.
Having multiple jobs to do on your flock does not necessarily mean you need more staff or help to do it.
The Weigh Crate is a low cost, quality-build solution that can be simply added into your yards. It can be hard mounted into an existing sheep race in the woolshed or it can be mobile and added into temporary yards.
Hecton says this multipurpose product is ideal to use for tagging, drenching, mouthing, vaccinating and drafting.
Add load bars and you can also weigh your stock. The product is modular, additional components can be added at any stage to include dagging, and ring crutching capability.
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.