Accurate Weights are Essential

 Michael says our mobile aluminium weighing scales is light weight, and fits all crush shapes and sizes. The large digital indicator (battery or electrically powered) makes it easy to read the weights from a distance. This scales is also designed to be durable and have a long working life.

 To improve parasite control it is important to use anthelmintic doses, pour-ons and injectables at the recommended weight of the animal and to avoid a risk factor in the development of resistance. This is best achieved by weighing stock on a regular basis.

 One happy customer is Jimmy O’ Halloran a beef finisher who farms near, Six Mile Bridge, Co Clare. After looking at 6 other scales at the National Ploughing Championships in 2012   he decided that the Osmonds Cattle Scales was most suited to his requirements.

 Jimmy invested in the scales for three reasons –Firstly to weigh animals when they arrive on farm. He then weighs cattle every couple of weeks to monitor feed efficiency and performance. Finally he weighs them before they go to the factory so as to be able to measure their Kill out .  According to Jimmy  -This helps me to pick the best bulls to buy and to see how well the diet worked -

 The weighing system has now been further enhanced with Osmonds Animal Weight Management System that is accessible on a Smartphone and IT system for recording livestock weights.  The inventor is David Mullarkey from Bonniconlon in Co. Mayo. His parents are sheep farmers and David studied Mechanical Enginering at Sligo Institute of Technology. The advanced system not only records weights but also predicts performance so livestock farmers can have accurate timely information.

 Farm Safety

 Farm safety is a topical issue and most farmers work alone much of the time. Many farmers are getting older and herds are increasing in size so the risk of an injury from livestock is higher nowadays. Teagasc research indicates that 6 per cent  of all farm injuries are livestock related.

 So it is important that when handling (dosing, bolusing, vaccinating or tagging) cattle that one has the best equipment available to restrain animals and administer the anthelmintics in a safe manner. The Anti-Backing Bar and Cattle Immobilizer from Osmonds makes handling cattle a no hassle, one man and a safe job. 

 

 Pictured on a busy Osmonds animal health stand at the Irish Ploughing Championship  discussing the new   Smartphone application and IT system for recording livestock weights were IFA President, John Bryan, and  the inventor  David Mullarkey, Bonniconlon, Ballina with  milk & beef producers Jim and Mary Joe O’Grady, Coleeny, Thurles.