Trade Show Picks
Veterinarian shares favorite products from the NCBA Trade Show.
The 2015 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show hosted during the Cattle Industry Convention Feb. 4-6 at the San Antonio Convention Center sprawled across more than 6 acres and featured products and organizations representing all sectors of the cattle industry.
I had the opportunity to tag along with South Dakota veterinarian Chandy Olson as she visited with trade show vendors and found several favorite products at the show. Olson sees more than 40,000 head of cattle pass through a chute each year, so she has practical insight on what products will hold up and work in real-world conditions. Following are some of her top picks.
- The ‘V-Grip’ Dial-a-Dose Injector from NJ Phillips (www.njphillips.com) was among Olson’s favorites for its easy squeeze and durable construction, as well as the option to add a bottle-mount dispenser. The injector is available in 1 mL, 2 mL, 5 mL or 12.5 mL and calibrated to administer dosages in various increments. NJ Phillips Powermaster Pour-On, a trigger-style applicator powered by compressed air also earned a favorite ranking from Olson. NJ Phillips products are distributed by Agri-Pro Enterprises, MWI, and several other animal health distributors.
- For situations when cattle need to be treated quickly and without a chute, Olson likes the Pneu-Dart technology (www.pneudart.com). A variety of models are available for cattle use; she admired the X-Caliber, which has a distance up to 1,500 feet and can deliver from 0.5 cc to 10 cc of medication.
- The weighing system from New Zealand-based Te Pari Products (www.tepari.com) — including weighing platforms, data recorders and software — garnered Olson’s attention, particularly for the ease of data-entry chute side. She also liked the Te Pari Drench Gun that connects to the weigh system to provide an accurate dose rate based on the animal’s actual weight.
- For other veterinarians, Olson also recommends the Ibex portable ultrasound system from E.I. Medical Imaging (www.eimedical.com). The company is the only U.S. manufacturer of portable ultrasound solutions specifically engineered for veterinary use. The rugged equipment features DuraScan™ technology, and is impact- and dust-resistant, cleanable and biosecure.
Other Items of Interest
I heard several other conversations during the trade show where products and companies were being talked about. Here are a few of those highlights.
- AmeriAg (www.ameriag.com) has introduced a new mineral feeder that it describes as “spill-, bull- and weather-proof” to eliminate mineral waste. The portable feeder is suitable for livestock of all ages.
- GrowSafe (www.growsafe.com) has long been a leader in innovation for collecting feed-efficiency data in confinement. They are now working on collecting pasture data, as well, and are collaborating with the well-known and well-respected Noble Foundation.
- Kunafin (www.kunafin.com) provides fly parasites for successful, economical, biological fly control, particularly in feedlot/confinement settings.
- Herdsman Brand (www.herdsmanbrand.com), a cooperative in the Southeast, offers a wide variety of high-quality fence and wire products manufactured in the United States and with written warranties on many of the products.
For more coverage of the 2015 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show, visit the Newsroom at www.4cattlemen.com.
