New Products
E. Coli vaccine
Pfizer Animal Health has been granted a conditional license for its E. coli Bacterial Extract vaccine with SRP® technology, the first vaccine demonstrated to reduce E. coli O157 shedding and prevalence at the source — inside the cattle.
Data from a recently published study indicated that vaccination at the feedlot reduced E. coli O157 contamination among cattle by 85%, and of those cattle still positive for E. coli O157, there was a 98% reduction in total remaining pathogen load.
Epitopix LLC manufactures the vaccine. Pfizer Animal Health acquired global rights to the vaccine earlier this year and is the exclusive distributor.
For more information, producers should contact a Pfizer representative, their veterinarian or visit www.pfizerah.com.
Preventing immunity gap in newborn calves
AgriLabs has unveiled Achieve with Cryptex to support the natural immunity of calves.
Achieve is a highly palatable, easy-to-use and extremely digestible paste that is formulated for newborns. Targeted egg-yolk proteins combat pathogens that cause malnutrition and scours. Lactic acid-producing bacteria, glutamine and inulin, combine to crowd out harmful bacteria in the gut, support intestinal health and foster the growth of beneficial bacteria. Cryptex, a precisely formulated polysaccharide and thermally activated carbon mixture, which gives the paste its characteristic black color, removes pathogenic toxins from the intestine and creates a hostile environment for pathogens such as Cryptosporidium, a major cause of protozoal diarrhea.
While colostrum can provide the maternal antibodies needed to produce immunity through passive transfer, the newborn's ability to absorb these large immunoglobulin proteins drops to almost zero within 24 hours of birth. Since it takes weeks for a neonate to develop a functional immune system, an immunity gap can result, making it difficult to fight disease if adequate, high-quality colostrum is not received within the first 24 hours.
Achieve with Cryptex is available from AgriLabs distributors and local dealers or by visiting www.agrilabs.com.
Verification for preconditioning calves
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. (BIVI) has introduced the Range Ready Quality Feeder-Calf program as an extension of its Range Ready Health Warranted Breeding Stock program. The objective of the program, according to BIVI's senior professional services veterinarian, is to have a calf that is ready to go for the buyer, whether that is a breeding animal or a feeder calf.
The new feeder-calf program offers flexibility to begin a vaccination protocol at branding, preweaning or weaning. Online enrollment helps reduce paperwork for producers, and once the protocol is entered online, with one click, producers can print a verification certificate showing what products were administered and when they were given. As a bonus, the heifer calves that are kept for replacements can easily be enrolled in the Breeding Stock program.
For more information on both tracks of the Range Ready program, visit www.rangeready.com or contact a local BIVI representative.
Superior visibility for loaders
Massey Ferguson has introduced the MF5450 mid-range tractor featuring the exclusive Hi-Visibility™ Hood design, which allows the operator to see the front of the loader bucket from the seat inside the cab for better control and more accurate results.
The new tractor is designed specifically for loader work, and is especially well-suited for the dairy and beef feedlot or for harvesting and moving hay.
The left-hand power control lever, mounted to the steering column, allows for simple directional changes such as operator controlled forward/reverse shuttling, powershift changes and fingertip declutching, and leaves the operator's right hand free to operate other controls.
Underneath the hood is a Tier III emissions-compliant Perkins® 1104D 44TA turbo-charged engine.
The control panel is easy to reach and is ergonomically arranged by function, reducing fatigue behind the wheel, according to the release.
For more information contact a local dealer or visit www.masseyferguson.com.
Automatic gear-shifting tractor
JCB has unveiled the Fastrac 3230 Xtra tractor, replacing the previous Fastrac 3230.
The new tractor features a P-Tronic transmission with cruise control that provides effortless and automatic gear shifting; a new cab layout that creates an enhanced operating environment; more torque, improving in-field and on-road performance; a transport power boost that provides increased pulling power at speed; variable-flow hydraulics that generate faster flow rates and lower fuel consumption; a quick-coupler layout that makes air brake connection easier; an updated air conditioning system that improves air flow and simplifies control; and a new front hood styling.
Options include headland management as part of the field performance package, which includes the ground-speed radar. The new tractor uses the same system as the 7000 Series Fastracs.
For more information visit www.fastracxtra.com.
Blood-sampling system promotes safety
The collection of blood samples for genetic testing, or for specific disease-testing purposes, can be a tedious process that's not without risk to the safety of humans and cattle involved. The TEGO Bovine Blood Collection Kit was developed to increase the simplicity and safety of drawing blood samples, without compromising sample integrity. During the 2011 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show, beef producers had the opportunity to see how the product works.
According to ITL Animal Healthcare, its TEGO sampling system provides for greater safety of animal handlers by reducing the risk of injury from needle sticks as well as the risk of injury from agitated cattle. Stress and potential injury to cattle during sampling is reduced through a passive and quick process for collecting blood from an animal's ear.
A kit includes a disposable plastic device, which enshrouds a set of self-retracting blades. A special absorbent card fits within the device when it is applied to the animal's ear using either style of Allflex® ear-tag applicator fitted with a TEGO adapter pin. When the device is applied, the blades make a small cut to raise blood for absorption by the card.
Once sufficient blood is collected, the device is pulled free of the ear and the labeled card bearing the blood sample is removed and placed within an envelope also provided in each kit. The system allows for shipment of blood samples through regular postal mail. Refrigeration is unnecessary. According to ITL Animal Healthcare, the system is compatible with existing laboratory processes.
For more information on the TEGO Bovine Blood Collection Kit, contact an ITL Animal Healthcare representative at 1-888-411-2851, or visit www.itlanimalhealthcare.com.
This Calving Book Survives Laundering
If you're a cow-calf producer, you've probably left a calving record book in the pocket of a shirt or jacket during laundering. For many, it's happened more than once and seldom does the book or its information survive the wash cycle. But Rite in the Rain, maker of all-weather writing paper, has developed a record book made to withstand water, sweat and other "fluids" encountered when working cattle and even an accidental trip through the washing machine.
During the 2011 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show, in Denver, manufacturer J.L. Darling Corp. introduced the new line of agricultural notebooks, including a Cow Breeding Record Book, Beef Calving Record Book, and Animal Treatment Record Book. All are pocket-size (3" x 4 5/8") and feature 48 sheets (96 pages) of Rite in the Rain all-weather paper with spaces for cattle identification numbers, dates, other specific data and comments. Each type of book is bound in a yellow Field Flex cover.
Environmentally-friendly Rite in the Rain paper is made from wood fiber, like other paper products, and is totally recyclable. But Rite in the Rain paper is resistant to water and many other everyday liquids. You can write on it, even when the paper is submerged in water. Information can be recorded using an ordinary pencil or the company's own All-Weather Pen.
Based in Tacoma, Wash., the J.L. Darling Corp. also produces writing paper products for use by the military and public safety personnel, as well as several various outdoor industries, including logging and commercial fishing. Founded in the 1920s, the company's production has evolved and expanded in accordance with its motto: “Outdoor writing products for outdoor writing people.”
More information is available online (www.RiteintheRain.com) or by contacting J.L Darling Corp., 2614 Pacific Hwy. E., Tacoma WA 98424-1017.