Farming Monthly National August 2017 | Page 29

| UK Dairy Day KiwiKit Launches FlashMate into the UK Market The problem that FlashMate solves is of significant economic consequence to dairy farmers. hen a cow comes into standing heat, there is a tight 30 hour window in which to breed it. Every missed pregnancy means reduced profit due to lost milking time, additional breeding and labour costs. By contrast, it has been calculated that even a 15 per cent improvement in detection is worth £171m a year to the industry. Yet until now farmers have relied on an experienced eye to make these crucial decisions, aided by low- cost indicators. Given growing herd sizes and greater use of unskilled labour, it’s no surprise that detection efficiency is on the decline. FlashMate combines technology similar to the touchscreen of your cellphone and W an intelligent microchip attached adjacent to a cow’s tail ridge. Once in place, the device scans for specific patterns of riding activity, flashing red for 26 hours to indicate that the animal is ready for artificial insemination. Should the insemination fail, the unit flashes red again at the next opportunity, otherwise it flashes green to indicate the cow is likely to be in calf. The bonus is that farmers are getting help at what has always been one of the most stressful times of their year. Anyone can read a flashing red light. “I was talking to a farmer who said ‘This is the first year I’ve been able to take time off during breeding’. It’s life-changing for these guys.” www.kiwikit.co.uk Tel 01584 879959 Your trusted partner in waste management Midland Slurry Systems can do it all. idland Slurry Systems Limited was formed in 1985 and has grown into one of the most respected companies in its field in the UK, specialising in the supply and maintenance of industrial and agricultural waste-water treatment installations and animal slurry management. M www.farmingmonthly.co.uk We offer an extensive range of products for animal slurry treatment and pollution control – providing a ‘turn-key’ operation - from the initial planning, right through to installation, commissioning, and on-going maintenance of a bespoke tailor-made package; a package that is designed from the outset to suit your individual needs and requirements. Our products are selected only from manufacturers with a worldwide reputation for serviceability and long life and all are backed by the manufacturers' guarantees. In all cases, our own service provision and pre-arranged maintenance schemes complement the manufacturers' guarantee period. August 2017 | Farming Monthly | 29