increase font size
The practical benefits of Advantage Feeders newly released M1000HD model uses a three-way restriction system that offers supplements to animals, in small amounts, often.
Feeding livestock can bring with it several challenges including labour shortages, wasted feed, higher prices for smaller quantities, intake monitoring and dominant animals bullying more timid individuals.
It is generally understood that growing a quality heifer will lead to increased conception rates, easier calving, longer time in the milking herd and higher production outputs, so along with the personal risk with regards to health and safety, making an investment in good feeding equipment makes a lot of commercial sense.
Advantage Feeders have been helping farmers around the world overcome these challenges for almost 15 years and has now developed a model for the NZ dairy farmer. It harnesses the innovative and break-down free feed intake control system with easy manoeuvrability in wet and trying conditions.
The practical benefits of Advantage Feeders newly released M1000HD model uses a three-way restriction system that offers supplements to animals, in small amounts, often. This ensures the rumen pH stays in a zone that allows pasture digesting microflora to work efficiently leading to a reduction in overall supplement needs and reduced costs.
The 3-way feed restriction system controls the height width, and epth of how much feed flows from the hopper to the feed area. This allows precise control over how much supplement can be consumed by calves and heifers.
In practice, animals soon learn how to lick in and out of hhe "feed access area", only gathering a small amount of feed with each lick. The three adjusters can be set for any ration. But in the most restricted setting, stock receive about 0.33% of their body weight per day, approximately 350g/day for a 100kg calf or 1kg/day for a 300kg heifer.
Once feed control is achieved, many challenges are overcome - like the 1000 litre hopper that can be filled with with a tractor bucket or dumpy bags, leading to an overall reduction in feed costs.
The large hopper can also help reduce labour requirements.
Typically to less than once per week, as 600kg of feed, fed at 500g/day for 60 calves, will last 20 days.
There is also the added benefit of zero waste as the hopper is sealed and the troughs are licked clean by the stock.
The arrival of new F8 and F9 designations for its 8000 and 9000 series forage harvesters, signals a swag of upgrades from John Deere, highlighted by topping the 1000hp mark for the first time.
Waikato-Bay of Plenty farmer Hugh Jackson recently secured this year’s FMG Young Farmer of the Year title in Invercargill.
Ashburton-based Carrfields has signed an agreement with Manitou to take over the distribution and retail rights for Manitou Agricultural Equipment covering the lower North Island and the South Island, effective August 1, 2025.
With June ending and following the most upbeat National Fieldays for several years, tractor dealers are reporting a lift in sales.
Samasz distributor FarmShop has introduced the new XDF Series Front Mowers, said to be refined for local conditions and to improve cutting precision and wear resistance.
Red meat farmers and processors are welcoming a US Government announcement - removing its reciprocal tariffs on a range of food products, including New Zealand beef.
OPINION: As negotiations advance on the India-New Zealand FTA, it’s important to remember the joint commitment made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the beginning of this process in March: for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement.
Minister for Universities, Shane Reti, has opened the final new build in a ten plus year project to upgrade the veterinary facilities at Massey University.
As New Zealand experiences more frequent and severe flooding events, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging consumers to be honest and accurate when making insurance claims for flood damage.
A recently held arable field day in the Manawatu brought with it a timely reminder to be on the lookout for velvetleaf incursions.
In a significant shift for employers, wage theft is no longer only a civil matter but now also a criminal one.
OPINION: Is it now time for the country's top agricultural university to start thinking about a name change - something…
OPINION: If David Seymour's much-trumpeted Ministry for Regulation wants a serious job they need look no further than reviewing the…
