Targeted spray applicator
John Deere introduces See & Spray^TM Ultimate, a factory-installed system available for model year 2023 John Deere 410R, 412R and 612R sprayers that enables targeted spraying of non-residual herbicide on weeds among corn, soybean and cotton plants.

See & Spray Ultimate’s targeted spray technology was designed by Blue River Technology, a wholly owned subsidiary of John Deere. Cameras and processors mounted on John Deere’s new carbon-fiber truss-style boom combine computer vision and machine learning to distinguish weeds from crop plants. One camera mounted every 1 meter across the width of the boom equates to 36 cameras on a 120-foot boom scanning more than 2,100 square feet at once. The accuracy of the target spray is enhanced by BoomTrac^TM Ultimate, John Deere’s new boom-height control system.

The targeted spray technology can help farmers reduce non-residual herbicide use by more than two-thirds with a hit rate comparable to traditional spraying, said Franklin Peitz, John Deere marketing manager. “For farmers, this decreased herbicide use can significantly lower herbicide costs, reduce tendering stops, and helps them cover more acres per day.”

Another key component is the split tank with dual-product capability, which helps farmers better control weeds and battle herbicide resistance.

Two tank options are available — 1,200 and 1,000 gallons. The 1,200-gallon option is split into a 450-gallon tank for targeted spraying and a 750-gallon tank for broadcast spraying. The 1,000-gallon option is split into a 350-gallon tank for targeted spraying and a 650-gallon tank for broadcast spraying.

“Farmers can apply a residual broadcast application and non-residual targeted application in a pre-emergence pass or targeted spray only as a clean-up pass,” Peitz said.

For more information visit the John Deere website, www.deere.com, or your local John Deere dealer.

Spreading a valuable commodity
Capture the benefits of applying livestock manure on your fields with Art’s Way X Series manure spreaders. The X Series offers time-tested designs with serious upgrades, including an upgraded floor chain with a limited lifetime warranty, a guillotine slop gate and flared sides.

An ISOBUS-compatible rate-control system gives operators real-time control to adjust application rates and gate height on the go. The exclusive system by Raven Industries Inc. makes it easy to produce readouts, which are designed to fulfill the increasing need for application documentation.

Box sizes range from 700 cubic feet to 900 cubic feet heaped capacity. The X700 and X900 have tandem axles, dual-drive gearboxes and flared sides.

The unique vertical beater placement expels a consistent spread behind the machine, reducing the chance of clumps or dead spots. The vertical beaters are removable, making it possible to haul forage, silage, snow, compost and hay by simply removing eight bolts and disengaging the drive line.

Flared sides provide a base for the bucket and a lower loading height. They also deliver extra capacity and prevent spillage compared to straight-sided spreaders.

A limited lifetime apron chain warranty covers repair or replacement of any defective link or section at no cost for the original purchaser.

For more information visit www.artsway.com.

Portable corral system
Moly Manufacturing’s All-Purpose (AP) Corral is a fresh, innovative take on the traditional corral.

The portable corral comes equipped with brace stabilizers to keep the fence from moving.

The fence panels rest on galvanized steel wheels, preventing the annoyance of flat tires, wheel slippage, and tire wear and tear. The wheels of the corral are hinged to lower the corral fence to the surface; this allows for greater safety and more control during the setup process.

The portable corral is lightweight, which enables it to be pulled by smaller vehicles. This prevents wear and tear on trucks, and means smaller-scale operations without dedicated vehicles can still use this product.

The system features adjustable headgates for different-sized animals, 10-foot sections for convenience in small areas, a carrier for multiple uses, Optional StockRac and Single Alleyway.

For more information visit https://www.molymfg.com/ap-corral.

Anaplasmosis control
As costs for medicated minerals, feed and anaplasmosis testing continue to rise, University Products LLC reintroduces its killed bovine anaplasmosis vaccine. Developed by Gene Luther, the vaccine is already used in multiple states, Puerto Rico and abroad.

“We’ve known for decades what kind of devastating effects anaplasmosis causes for the cattle industry,” said Luther. “The USDA studied this issue a few years ago, calling it ‘a major obstacle to profitable beef production in the U.S.,’ while conservatively estimating that anaplasmosis epidemics cost U.S. ranchers around $400 per animal — hundreds of millions in revenue lost each year.”

Anaplasmosis is a blood disease carried by parasites (primarily ticks) that infects red blood cells, causing severe anemia and death. Traditional treatments for anaplasmosis have involved rigorous testing, tetracycline drugs in medicated feed, intensive supportive care, including rest and close access to food and water, with blood transfusions for severe cases.

These treatments are time-consuming, expensive, rarely cost-effective, and have varying degrees of success, says Luther. Tetracycline drugs do not eradicate the anaplasmosis organism.

Ranchers are reporting higher costs for testing and treatment, he notes. The cost of tests has increased to $13.50 to $18 per test, per animal, with multiple testing needed throughout the season.

“The price for our vaccine is comparable,” he said. “Depending on stockyard prices, you can vaccinate a herd of 100 cattle for the same cost of losing one cow to this disease. And vaccination is far more effective over the long term than mere testing and tetracycline mitigation.”

The University Products vaccine does not prevent infection, but when properly used, significantly reduces clinical signs in at-risk animals. The vaccine requires two doses in the first year with one annual booster thereafter. It is safe to use in any stage of bovine pregnancy.

A description of the vaccine and its administration is available at https://bit.ly/Ana-Gizmo. For more information on current vaccine availability for veterinary use, contact Luther by email at docndoc@aol.com.

Editor’s note: Have a product you’d like featured in the “Gizmos & Gadgets” column? Submit your nominations to shermel@angus.org.

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