Author: National Ploughing Association

AgriNet, also known as IFC is celebrating 25 years in the agricultural I.T industry this year. AgriNet prides its self in keeping ahead of the curve when it comes to real–time herd and cash flow management, as well as Grassland management for international clients.

The National Ploughing Championships is the ideal place to launch new and innovative products and services and this is where HerdApp was launched back in 2017.  Two years on – HerdApp is the market leading software app for recording health data nationwide.  

AgriNet contribution to total ICBF health recording in 2018:

• 69% Mastitis
• 51% Lameness

Profitability, Efficiency & Labour Saving are all topics that are discussed daily on farms all over the Country. HerdApp ticks all these boxes and with end result beingSustainability. The information flow to and from HerdApp is of a whole new standard when compared to other products on the market – it takes information from ICBF, AIM & Co-Ops and relates this data back to the farmer in a real time, straightforward manner. This ensures better decision making on farm with all information available and at the touch of a button.

The National Ploughing Championships 2019 will see the announcement of a brand new partnership with Lakeland Dairies & HerdApp, where Lakeland suppliers can now view their milk tank data automatically. Suppliers of other Co-Ops can enter their data manually for now, but every farmer that milk records their herd can view their results free of charge.

Selective Dry Cow therapy and the use of antibiotics is extremely topical at the moment and HerdApp automatically takes information such as SCC from Milk recording results and individual cases of mastitis recorded in the herd and generates a report showing cows that are eligible for SDCT. This tool alone showcases HerdApp’s innovative and sustainable approach to farming in Ireland.

AgriNet will showcase their two software products – Cashminder&HerdAppat this year’s Innovation tent – demonstrating how simple & straightforward sustainable farming can be – if you use the right tools.

Dr. Elizabeth Berry BVSC, PhD, MRCVS, Veterinary Director with Animaxconfirms that all of their Allsure® boluses contain Selenium Selenite and authorised for use with sheep, lambs, and cattle.

Many farmers are unaware that since July 17, 2019 Selenium Selenite is the only Selenium approved by theEFSA (European Food Standard Agency)as a feed additive for use in sheep boluses sold in Britain, Ireland and the rest of Europe.

So immediately check that the product you are using complies with these EU regulations.

Grass and forage vary widely in trace element content due to soil type, pH, drainage, plant species and fertiliser use. Certain root crops are also known to be low in selenium and vitamin E. Dr Berry says that “Selenium is essential for a wide variety of immune responses in cattle and sheep and a deficiency can impact on overall production.

For example, a selenium deficiency can reduce the effectiveness of white blood cells by altering both their numbers, activity and speed getting to the site of infections. Clinical signs of selenium deficiency include late abortion, stillbirth, or weak calves or lambs with enlarged thyroids, retained placenta, low immunity to infection in all ages of cattle and reduced fertility in bulls. It may also cause muscular stiffness, recumbency, difficult breathing and poor weight gains in younger cattle. Other symptoms may include early embryonic loss or failure to implant after mating. Or a newly calved cow may have retained cleansings or an increased susceptibility to mastitis, both of which can result in delayed oestrous after calving.

Speaking at a recent technical briefing for animal health distributors Dr Berry pointed out that access to minerals at grass can be very variable, while water supplementation can make the water unpalatable. If adding trace elements to a ration you always run the risk of variable intakes. Drenches can be applied but need to be repeated frequently. According to Dr Berry “One of the most effective and convenient way is to give all animals a slow release bolus. The bolus will ensure that each animal gets the required levels to offset any deficiencies in a grazing system. Ensuring trace element requirements are met at this critical time of year will not only prepare ewes and lambs for a fertile breeding season but will also help to reduce the chance of unknown issues arising, and the associated stress. Rory Dicker, Commercial Manager pointed out that the Allsure® sheep range of intra-ruminal, leaching boluses use unique and proven leaching technology to provide slow release supplementation of the four essential trace elements (Cobalt, Copper oxide, Iodine and Selenium) at known and optimum levels for up to 6 months.

Flor Ryan, the Animaxsheep specialist says that the Allsure® sheep boluses are easily given to ruminant animals using a specially designed Animax applicator. The bolus enters the animal’s rumen-reticulum and lodges there The trace elements leach out from the bolus at a known rate and the used boluses are shed naturally.

Animax will have an attractive special offer for customers on their stand in the IHFA marquee (row 7, block 3, stand 167) during the National Ploughing Championships. Animax will give away a free bolus applicator with all bolus orders for drying off or pre tupping.

For further information please visit https://animax-vet.com/products/roi/

Austin Hughes Chief Economist at KBC Bank Ireland will host a series of seminars at the KBC Dome on 2 days ( Block 4, no 345).

THE ECOMONY AND YOU: PROGRESS OR PAIN?

• Wednesday 18th September 12:30pm & 2:30pm
• Thursday 19th September 12:30pm & 2:30pm

Big Red Barn will next month introduce their new home to the market. A home that ‘ticks all the boxes’ – affordable; faster to build, low carbon footprint, customisable, reduces building waste by 52% and is delivered in a turn-key condition.

Using modern methods of steel-frame constructionfrom fully and independently certified designs, the off-site manufacturing process significantly reduces overall construction time and costs. The house meets all Part L building regulations, designed to create an almost ‘zero energy’ home.
Because these modular homes are factory manufactured, they can be completed in a matter of weeks as opposed to months and years as is the case with conventional building. The house building is not subject to on-site delays due to poor weather conditions or unavailability of contractors or specialist skilled labour.
These homes have a 70% less carbon footprint than conventional buildings where waste to landfill is a major issue. They are also easier to heat and have significantly less on-going energy bills.

The homes being launched include a two-story dormer and a single-story bungalow and the designs can be customised to meet the individual customer’s requirements. They are delivered as a complete turn-key solution with no other contractors required on site. All the customer will have to do is purchase furniture and appliances before moving in.
The overall cost of the homes will be significantly less than traditional built homes with insurance premiums the same as for site-built homes.
The new home will be officially launched by Anna Mae McHugh (Managing Director of the National Ploughing Association) at 2pm on September 17ththe first day of this year’s event in Co. Carlow.