New Products
High-density bovine beadchip
Illumina Inc. has announced a next generation high-density bovine beadchip (BovineHD) array product using the company's Infinium® HD assay. The chip contains data from more than 20 diverse breeds that was generated from recent sequencing largely done with Illumina Genome AnalyzerII™ technology.
The product is the result of an international collaboration involving the company and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Pfizer Animal Genetics, the University of Missouri, the National Association of Livestock and Artificial Insemination Cooperatives in France (UNCEIA), and the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA). The team performing the SNP discovery and selection was led by Curt Van Tassell, research geneticist at USDA-ARS.
The product is available now for advance orders, with initial shipments to collaborators beginning at the end of the first quarter of 2010. Broad commercial shipments are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2010.
For more information visit www.illumina.com/agriculture.
Online assessment tool for balances and scales
Mettler Toledo has announced the launch of GWP® Risk Check, an interactive online assessment tool that provides both qualitative and quantitative analysis of balance performance and weighing environment for balances and scales.
Risk Check helps quality managers assess the appropriateness of their weighing environment and balance testing frequency. By plugging in real-world data, quality managers can find out if poor weighing accuracy or the environment are skewing measurements and take steps to ensure safe, accurate and consistent results.
The product analyzes weighing risks based on the international weighing guideline, Good Weighing Practice,™ or GWP. The guideline is appropriate for use by quality, laboratory and manufacturing managers in the pharmaceutical, chemical and food and beverage industries, or in any industry that relies on accurate materials weighing to produce uniform results.
For more information visit www.good-weighing-practice.com.
Nutrient technology
Agro-K Corp. has announced that growers of glyphosate-tolerant crops such as corn, soybeans, sugar beets and cotton can now add zinc and manganese to their early season glyphosate applications with the company's new Sysstem-Ready™ nutrient formulation.
Glyphosate molecularly combines with metals (chelation) such as zinc and manganese, locking them up so they lose mobility and efficacy when applied together. The chelation process also negatively affects the herbicidal activity of the glyphosate.
The new formulation links zinc and manganese to a highly systemic phosphite that resists glyphosate chelation, and can result in rapid nutrient absorption, mobility and utilization within the crop plant.
The new technology is also available in calcium, magnesium and potassium formulations, and each is compatible with the other.
For more information call 1-800-328-2418 or visit www.agro-k.com.
Waterer
Ritchie Industries has announced the launch of the Omni 10, a new large-capacity waterer.
The newest unit features an all-around drinking area and a 304 stainless steel trough with heating element attached to the underside for frost-free service under the most severe winter conditions.
The new waterer carries a 10-year limited warranty and is available in March through distributors and dealers nationwide.
For the name of a Ritchie distributor in your area, call 1-800-747-0222 or visit www.ritchiefount.com.
Reel leveler
Unverferth Manufacturing Co. Inc. has introduced the Rolling Reel Leveler model 75, a soil-finishing partner to pull behind a primary tillage tool for spring planting.
The reel leveler features five spiraled, beveled-edge blades for breaking up clods, knocking dirt off rootballs and leveling residue and ridges for a smoother secondary tillage operation.
The height-adjustable, reversible single-tang, double-elevis hitch and telescoping tongue make it easy to attach to the lead tool. There's also a top-winding, drop-leg jack for easy parking and a secondary position for in-field use.
Available in a powder-coat finish of tractor red or green, the unit is available in 15-foot (ft.) and 18-ft. rigid and 18-, 20-, and 25-ft. folding models with horsepower requirements of 1 to 1½ per working foot.
For more information call 1-800-322-6301, 419-532-3121 or visit www.unverferth.com.
Workwear rental program, contest
Cintas Corp., North America's largest uniform supplier, has partnered with Carhartt, a global manufacturer of premium workwear, to offer Carhartt garments for the first time in a uniform rental program.
In support of this partnership, the two companies have launched a search for North America's toughest workers. The "Are You Carhartt Tough?" Contest is being conducted in conjunction with the rollout of the new product line being offered by the two companies.
With Ducks Unlimited® acting as media sponsor, contest organizers want to reach out to the American workforce to identify people who are strong, dependable, resilient and rugged. Beginning April 30, three finalists will be announced each quarter.
After a year's time, all 12 finalists will be featured on the contest web site, where the public will be encouraged to cast votes for the toughest of the tough. Two Grand Prize winners will receive either a weekend duck hunt trip designed by Ducks Unlimited or a trip to the Stihl Timbersports® Series in 2011.
Contestants can register by visiting www.CarharttRental.com, where they can submit a short essay and photograph. Those interested in the uniform rental program can visit www.cintas.com/Carhartt.
Weld and run auxiliary tools
Hobart Welding Products has introduced the Champion™ Elite engine-driven welding generator. Targeted to farmers, ranchers, fabricators, maintenance personnel, service truck owners and serious do-it-yourselfers, the unit can generate 11,000-watt peak power (9,500-watts continuous at 100% duty cycle), offers AC stick or scratch-start DC tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, features a "no tools" oil change and digital hour meter, and a 12-gallon (gal.) fuel tank for extended operation.
Auxiliary power is available while welding, offering two operators the ability to work off the same generator. The unit can run for up to 9 hours on one 12-gal. tank of gas under a continuous load of 4,000 watts.
For more information call 1-877-462-2781, visit www.hobartwelders.com or write to Hobart Welders, PO Box 100, Lithonia, GA 30058.