New Zealand’s agricultural and farming sectors have reason to feel gratified by the interest evinced by researchers and developers of models and new devices aimed at improving their productivity.
The latest example of such patronage and interest came from two students of Massey University, who have developed two separate tools that would ease the farmers in their daily tasks of tending sheep and cattle.
‘Hoofcare Modular Treatment Unit,’ is a mobile tool developed by Charlotte Pedersen, allowing farmers to set up a cattle crush and race, specific to their needs, help treat cows with any noticeable illness or injuries that they contract.
The second device, called, ‘Electronic Drenching Unit,’ was developed by Holly Gaskin, which aims to improve the performance of sheep drenching, reduces farmers’ musculoskeletal pain and discomfort during the repetitive tasks.
Both students are of rural background and hence understand the farming sector and its challenges well.
Mobile treatment
Born and raised in Hawkes’ Bay, Charlotte worked in the dairy industry, where she identified a need for safer and more effective working conditions for handling cows. She discussed a number of issues with working and retired farmers and veterinarians, organised surveys, and found that there was a need to address the daily challenges faced by famers in treating dairy cows with diseases such as laminitis.
Charlotte knew that such diseases, caused by walking track conditions, pressures associated with breeding and raising livestock and the lack of or insufficient treatments, affected the hoofs of horses and cattle.
“Essentially poor treatment can lead to less efficient production from a lame cow and costs related to having to re-treat cows or having to dispose of a good milking cow prematurely”, she said.
Her mobile treatment unit features rotating hinges to allow its panels to swing and give the farmer added access to the cow or multiple drafting options.
The treatment unit could also be used for tagging stock, pregnancy testing and general health care for cattle.
Comforting device
Holly grew up on a sheep and beef farm.
According to her, investigation of the performance of agricultural processes within the sheep industry revealed that sheep drenching was the most labour intensive task for farmers during their busy summer period.
She was aware that farming suffered from a lack of entering the industry, and that many older farmers suffered from arthritic joints, and pre-existing or recurring injuries.
“I wanted farmers to be able to work smarter and not harder, and reduce stress on them mentally and physically during the busiest periods. When people are tired, they are likely to make mistakes and sustain injuries,” she said.
