Ravensdown Named Naming Rights Sponsor of A&P Show
Farmer owned co-operative Ravensdown has signed a two-year naming rights sponsorship of the Canterbury A&P Show.
Animal healthcare specialist Purtec says it will showcase a range of innovative products at the CD Fieldays.
Products including the No Mate teaser harness designed for use with sheep and goats.
These allow entire males to be placed with females – without the risk of mating. The merits of the device have been praised by Massey Vet School, not least because it removes the need for vasectomies on teaser stock.
The company will also show the Bearin prolapse harness, which achieved great results during the last lambing season. These are described as robust, easy to use and prevent the ewe from lifting its back and straining, which can cause prolapsed bearings. Adjustable fixing straps make the device suitable for ewes or hoggets, making it fit well and keep the bearing profile in place.
According to Spring Valley Farms, which is running a triplet lambing trial: "If a ewe is carrying triplets, saving her and the lambs is a small price to pay for the $25 invested in the harness."
On the dairy side, Purtec's Heatmark ERO heat detectors will be on display.
These also have a loyal following. Users rate the new adhesive applicator, as getting the glue right down to the skin and outperforming self-adhesive detectors. This superior adhesion is said to result in better detection and mating results in all types of stock.
The company will also display a range of animal health applicators including a new needle-free vaccinator which ensures the dose gets to the animal for effective uptake of the administered product. And it removes the risk of site lesions which might become infected after the process if conventional equipment is used.
Oamaru-based livestock handling specialist Te Pari has bought Combi Clamp, the New Zealand manufacturer of Combi Clamp manual sheep handlers.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has admitted that a scheme bringing workers from Pacific nations to work on orchards has become too hard to navigate but says changes are coming.
A new app designed in New Zealand aims to help sheep, beef and deer farmers capture, analyse and use body condition score data more effectively.
Canterbury farmer Andy Macfarlane has been appointed to the board of AgriZeroNZ, the public-private partnership designed to accelerate the development and deployment of emissions reduction tools for New Zealand farmers.
For over 50 years Mel Ewers has been supporting the apple sector navigate through compliance and quality assurance issues.
The apple sector is enjoying a bumper harvest season.

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