Some highlights of this year’s display include the cutting edge Flashmate Electronic Heat Detector and the S20 Portable Solar Energiser.
Some simple solutions to everyday farm fencing problems will also prove popular with farmers, including the high-visibility sighter, and insulated and dual-purpose handles.
Darrell Jones, regional sales manager for Gallagher, says the S20 Portable Solar Energiser builds on the ground-breaking technology developed for its smaller sibling, the S10 Solar Energiser, and packs enough electrical punch to run 2km of fencing.
“Its release is good timing for farmers wanting an effective, simple energiser for strip-grazing, and don’t want to rely solely on a battery-powered energiser,” Jones says. He says its capable of operating for three weeks without sunshine on its long-life battery.
The field days will display other equipment, including dual-purpose and insulated handles.
Gallagher designers have come up with a simple solution to fixing a perennial annoyance for farmers, when the hook holding a portable fence bounces off the wire, as the reel is being deployed.
The connection hook has a ring-shaped design that locks it securely to the permanent fence wire. This ensures the handle will not bounce off while deploying the temporary fence.
The dual-purpose handle has extra connection points, allowing farmers to safely liven the fence from either the reel or handle end.
High visibility sighters, also on display, are easily attached plastic markers that make electric and temporary fences easier to see, helping avoid accidents.
Dairy farmers wanting to improve their herd’s six-week in-calf rates and AI detection can also check out Gallagher’s new heat detection product, Flashmate electronic heat detector.
The stand-alone disposable device will monitor cow heat behaviour constantly through the mating season. Once a heat is identified, Flashmate will flash red for 26 hours, indicating the cow is ready for artificial insemination.
Darrell says interest in the Flashmate at the National Fieldays was overwhelming.
“Flashmate is the most exciting, simple yet innovative heat detection product the market has seen.”
The easy-to-use device uses technology similar to the touchscreen on a smartphone, which is coupled with an intelligent microchip to look for specific patterns of riding activity, including the frequency, number and length of contacts.
Farmer feedback from a limited 2015 release was positive.
“You can’t control the weather or milk price, but if the average dairy farmer can lift their six-week in-calf rate from 65% to 75%, that’s worth an extra $60 a year per cow,” Jones says.
He says there will be excellent deals for farmers, and territory managers will be on hand at the Northland and Central Districts Field Days Gallagher sites to give advice.
