Photo Gallery: August 2012 BEEF Tech

Hay storage solutions

FarmTek’s extensive line of tension-fabric storage buildings are ideal for sheltering hay and equipment. The ClearSpan fabric structures feature a spacious interior with no internal support posts, facilitating easier maneuvering of tractors and other equipment inside the structure. Available in both freestanding and pony-wall styles, the structure's minimal foundation requirements allow for fast construction and easy relocation, and come in a variety of color and sizes.

For more information, visit www.FarmTek.com or call 800-327-6835.

W-W squeeze chute

Weighing in at about 2,500 lbs., W-W Livestock’s Hydraulic Stam-pede Squeeze Chute is the heaviest, most durable and dependable hydraulic squeeze chute of its design on the market, the company says. It features parallel sides and a manual back-up bar to give the operator the most control in the animal’s comfort zone, while the straight-sided chute expands from 9 in. to 29 in. in width to handle cattle of any age or size.

For more information, call 800-999-1214.

More precise nutrient analysis

The real-time nutrient analysis provided by the John Deere HarvestLab™ allows producers to quickly analyze and adjust corn silage rations. The Constituent Sensing unit not only measures dry matter content, but predicts crude protein, starch and fiber. It can be mounted on a John Deere self-propelled forage harvester to monitor corn silage at harvest or used as a stationary unit to evaluate silage nutrient quality at the time of feeding. The Constituent Sensing enhancement allows for more precise application of silage inoculants at harvest because rates can be adjusted according to crop and dry matter readers. The result is higher-quality silage with greater feed value and less spoilage.

For more information, visit your local dealer or www.johndeere.com.

Rechargeable livestock prod

Throw away your old battery pack! SryVet’s Rechargeable Battery Pack replaces the standard “C” battery compartment in the SryVet Livestock Prod, converting it into a long-lasting rechargeable prod. The only battery pack designed with microchip technology, a complete charge takes 3½ hours. Its lifetime of 500 charging cycles is equivalent to 1,200 “C” batteries, the company says. The charging unit (available in both wall and car chargers) is sold separately.

For more information, visit www.syrvet.com or call 800-727-5203.

Scale house solution

Rice Lakes’ TicketPress™ printer helps busy scale houses and material-handling centers with their weight ticketing needs. Featuring battery-backed time and date, sequential ticket numbering, automatic media thickness adjustment, and a quick-change ink cartridge, the printer integrates with current and future scale applications. The unit’s contemporary layout showcases a partly brushed stainless finish and a straightforward operator keypad and display.

For more information, call 715-434-5364 or visit www.ricelake.com/ticketpress.

Cornstalk baling made easy

Vermeer’s 605 Super M Cornstalk Special Baler makes baling cornstalks as easy as baling hay, and the enhanced optional Inline™ Ramp makes picking up cornstalk bales even easier. The Inline Ramp positions bales for pick up along the rows without driving over ridges and cornstalks, which saves field time and makes the bale-loading process smoother. The unit also includes a durable O-ring chain in high-wear locations to withstand the harsh conditions of cornstalk baling.

For more information, visit www.vermeer.com.

NEXGROW™ Alfalfa

Forage Genetics International (FGI) and Syngenta introduce the NEX-GROW™ alfalfa brand. The brand, which incorporates Syngenta and NK Alfalfa offerings, will be managed by FGI, and sold through existing Garst,® Golden Harvest® and NK® brand alfalfa resellers.

NEXGRO consists of Syngenta and NK brand alfalfa varieties, plus seven new varieties. Among them are 6422Q; next-generation, glyphosate-tolerant varieties such as Revolt; and superior late fall dormant varieties with exceptional winter hardiness.

For more information on NEXGROW alfalfa, talk to your local Garst, Golden Harvest or NK brand alfalfa reseller, or visit www.plantNEXGROW.com.

On-site Salmonella testing

InstantLabs Medical Diagnostics Corporation’s (InstantLabs®) Salmonella Species Food Safety Kit has been certified for the identification of Salmonella in whole chicken, ground chicken, ground beef and lettuce. Designed for use at the point of need, the test improves the detection process of dangerous bacteria in food products.

“The Salmonella assay and Hunter Real-Time PCR® system allow poultry and beef processors to confidently conduct on-site, gold-standard food safety testing, rather than send samples to external labs for analysis,” explains Steven Guterman, InstantLabs CEO. The test kit is available worldwide, with additional food safety test kits available for Listeria species, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli 0157 and porcine DNA detection.

For more information, visit instantlabs.com or call 917-679-1928.

Retinal imaging

The next generation of livestock retinal imaging is here. Optibrand’s ClearView ID replaces the company’s original OptiReader® device, which was recognized as the gold standard in secure livestock ID. The new system consists of two hardware components – the camera and a Windows-based tablet. The camera features enhanced optics and imaging software that captures high-definition color images, while the tablet’s touch-screen capabilities allow easier operation. Both components are designed for ruggedness and reliability.

For more information, call 866-356-0879.