Gizmos & Gadgets
Products for use on the farm or ranch and in the feedlot.
This month’s column includes technology to determine which cattle are at risk upon feedlot arrival, two self-propelled windrower lines, a feed additive to improve heat tolerance, and a probiotic to improve rumen function and promote animal health.
Tool to control BRD
Merck Animal Health and Allflex Livestock Intelligence introduce a new weapon in the fight against bovine respiratory disease (BRD). The tool predicts which animals will benefit from treatment on arrival for the control of BRD while maintaining proper antimicrobial stewardship.
“Whisper® On Arrival offers feedlot managers and veterinarians an innovative new approach to feedlot management of BRD,” says Jason Nickell, manager, professional services, for Allflex Livestock Intelligence. “The transformative technology provides the most complete BRD control case definition available by analyzing an individual animal’s lung sound, heart sound, rectal temperature and weight, delivering actionable data for objective BRD control decisions at the individual-animal level.”
Consisting of a new sound-collection device with six sensors and a predictive algorithm, the tool is intended for use upon arrival at the feedlot or backgrounding lot. Based on individual animal examination, the algorithm calculates each animal’s risk of developing BRD and provides a simple “treat” or “no treat” outcome.
“Providing precision targeting of only those animals that will benefit from antimicrobial treatment can result in a reduction in unnecessary use of antibiotics and a positive impact to the bottom line of producers,” says Paul Koffman, North America lead for Allflex Livestock Intelligence.
The product is available as a part of a limited rollout, with plans to expand availability in 2022. For more information, including video demonstrations, go to https://bit.ly/1021ABB-G1.
John Deere windrowers
Hay and forage harvest is a race against time, with tonnage and feed value starting to decline the moment the crop is cut. New John Deere W200 series self-propelled windrowers help farmers harvest their crop quickly and efficiently, while promoting quick dry down for high-quality hay.
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John Deere W200 series self-propelled windrower |
“The W200M and W235M self-propelled windrowers offer a cost-effective option for farmers to consider with an all-new cab and a new lower-horsepower option,” says Chase Milem, John Deere hay and forage marketing manager. “Beef and dairy producers will benefit from the W235R and W260R, thanks to a new premium cab loaded with integrated technology and innovative features that let them easily make in-cab adjustments to improve windrow formation and dry down.”
The new windrowers provide:
- R windrowers offer 10% wider windrows than previous models.
- 24-mph transport speed reduces time spent moving between fields.
- Easy in-cab adjustments of swath flap and forming shields, with tilt and height resume.
- JDLink™-enabled machines help to ensure peak operation performance and keep the owner connected to their machine at any time from anywhere.
The W200M and W235M are available with optional StarFire™ receivers and a Generation 4 CommandCenter™ with AutoTrac™. Optional TouchSet™ controls allow operators to quickly adjust windrow width, and tilt from the cab while cutting. Using the TouchSet settings library presets and resume function, operators can move between settings with ease. This level of control makes it easy to optimize the windrowers to accommodate for varying field and crop conditions. Operators can electronically adjust windrow formation from the cab to optimize the crop being cut, to promote fast dry down.
The M and R series self-propelled windrowers became available to order Sept. 1, 2021. For more information visit the John Deere website (https://bit.ly/1021ABB-G2), or your local John Deere dealer (https://bit.ly/1021ABB-G2a).
Case IH windrowers
Introduced by Case IH, WD5 series windrowers were engineered to take on harvest windows with faster, more consistent dry down. With transport speeds up to 30 mph, operators can travel efficiently from farm to field. Haying time and costs are cut with field speeds up to 20 mph.
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Case IH WD5 series windrower |
RD5 series windrower headers set the benchmark with cut quality conditioning and windrow formation, to go along with the fast cutting speeds. The triple-windrow attachment saves time, fuel and labor by combining up to three windrows.
WD5 series windrowers are designed with a quiet, comfortable cab, while an independent air-assisted rear-axle suspension provides a smoother ride. Plus, a tuned cab suspension means better fore/aft stabilization and ride cushioning. Designed to excel through hilly areas, a robust drivetrain design produces more than 11,000 foot-pounds of torque, while a four-link rear suspension provides greater stability and reduces the need for added ballast.
The Case IH SurroundVision cab is packed with productivity-boosting features, including larger, easy-entry steps, a leather ventilated seat, and additional window tinting for a cool and comfortable workday. Designed to function and feel similar to the Axial-Flow® combine, the WD5 series windrower includes the MultiFunction Handle, which helps simplify operation.
For enhanced straight-line tracking, a redesigned precision ground drive system monitors wheel-speed differences and self-compensates by adjusting wheel speeds. A drive-by-wire ground propulsion and steering system help make road transport and field work simple.
Every model is guidance-ready to provide cutting accuracy within 1½ inches, so technology is seamlessly integrated into the cab experience, along with the intuitive Advanced Farming Systems (AFS™) Pro 700 display. Case IH guidance solutions help virtually eliminate pass-to-pass overlap. An automated headland management feature controls ground speed, header lift and merger lift to make every headland turn effortless and accurate.
For more information, contact your local Case IH dealer or visit https://bit.ly/1021ABB-G5.
Reduce heat stress, improve quality grade
A recent research study determined feeding Comfort™ in the late finishing phase to crossbred cattle under intense heat stress in Texas improved average daily gain, feed intake and intramuscular fat accrual. The product is Ralco’s natural everyday feed additive containing a custom blend of Microfused® essential oils and capsicum for targeted support and animal comfort during times of environmental challenge.
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Comfort by Ralco |
“Performance losses in the summer are often contributed to reduced feed intake in cattle, but that’s really only half the story,” says Bill Holloway, senior beef nutritionist for Ralco. “The internal, physiological stress ruminants experience during heat stress can account for 50% or more of production losses. These non-intake related losses include leaky gut, oxidative stress, glucose and insulin irregularities, inflammation, metabolic changes and immune system activation.”
Heat stress is estimated to cost the United States beef industry an average of $370 million each year.
The study was conducted at the West Texas A&M University Research Feedlot (WTAMU) facility near Canyon, Texas, using Akaushi-cross cattle. The average high temperature at the feedyard was 90° F, with highs of 105° and night lows of 55° F. The average finished weight for the cattle was 1,392 pounds (lb.).
Cattle receiving the product had significantly greater (0.26 lb. per day) average daily gain. This 13.4% improvement in gain suggests the cattle were more efficient in feed conversion, which was 12.1% greater for the supplemented cattle.
Carcass data revealed that the cattle graded well; however, there was a significant effect of feeding the supplement on the percent Prime. Because many of the cattle were on the cusp of grading USDA Prime, the 15% advantage in marbling score for the cattle fed the product translated to a 136% increase in percent grading USDA Prime.
The product is compatible with micro mixers and available for direct on-farm use. Learn more at https://bit.ly/1021ABB-G3.
