SOLUTIONS What’s NEW? HEAT DETECTION
Tried, tested and proven heat detection tool
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ccurately determining when a cow is on heat ensures a more successful mating period. You need a clear process, good observation and effective use of a reliable heat detection tool. Farmers use FIL tail paint as it’s tried, tested and proven. With an effective painting plan in place, you can identify almost 90% of cows on heat. Applied properly, it will reliably provide a visual indication of when a cow has stood to be mounted, and consequently rubbed, to show that she’s on heat. It also helps to pick up cows that are on heat for a short time and might otherwise be missed. FIL Detail tail paint comes in six fluorescent colours, which enables a systematic painting plan to identify each stage during the “detection to pregnancy” 12-week cycle:
1. Paint all cows with red tail paint approximately three weeks after calving. Check the paint strip at each milking. In most cases, much of the paint will be rubbed off when a cow is on heat. 2. Paint cows on heat with green tail paint. 3. After insemination, paint the cows with blue tail paint. If the paint rubs off, the cow is not pregnant. 4. Once pregnancy is confirmed, paint the cows with yellow tail paint. FIL’s Detail 10L bucket is gaining popularity as a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly option, ultimately minimising waste onfarm. It’s just as effective as oil-based tail paint, with visibility for up to 21 days. Being water-based it’s gentler on skin, so it’s better for cows. Plus, there’s less harm
to the applicator’s skin and can be easily cleaned with water. For quick and hassle-free application, pair Detail tail paint with the Tail-Mate™ roller and extendable handle,so you can safely add extra reach when tail painting. Available at your local rural retail store or visit fil.co.nz for more information.
The right time to spray
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rom setting up a niche crop, to preparing for a traditional pastoral option like maize, reliable weed control makes all the difference to yield and profitability. This principle applies whether you’re working with three hectares, or three thousand, especially when weather conditions are fickle, and you’re depending on a good result. As all farmers know, spring can be a testing time to spray. However, one advanced agrichemical formulation has proved itself this past year. 80
Hawke’s Bay contractor David Fleming says the use of CRUCIAL® herbicide for weed control, is money well spent. David, based in Dannevirke says switching to CRUCIAL when it was launched last year was a logical move for his one-man business, Fleming Ground Spray. “I know I’m using a product that will work. If it rains 15 minutes after I drive out of a paddock, I still know it’s going to work! Also there’s less product to cart, because it is a high strength
formulation.” Most of David’s clients are sheep and beef farmers, with some dairy farmers, and he sprays out 3800-4000 hectares of pasture a year. After 10 years in the industry, he says reliability is his number one requirement for both chemicals and equipment. For further information, contact your local Nufarm Territory Manager on 0800 NUFARM or visit nufarm.co.nz CRUCIAL is a registered trademark of Nufarm Australia Limited.
Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | October 2020
