Spotting the heat

19 February 1999

NEW PRODUCTS

Coccidiosis care by dosing gun

DOSE lambs against coccidiosis accurately without resorting to injectables or medicated feeds by using Vecoxan from Janssen Animal Health.

An oral suspension, Vecoxan is administered using a drenching gun and can be given to lambs as young as four-weeks-old. A single measured dose should give lambs time to develop their own immunity to the disease, says the company.

Available through vets, Vecoxan comes in 1, 2.5 and 5 litre packs each with its own dosing gun. It costs about 45p a lamb (01494-567555, fax 01494-567556).

No blockages in feeder bottles

PREVENT air blocks when bottle feeding calves with Non-Vac calf feeder bottle, from manufacturer Net-Tex.

Technology used in lamb bottles has been copied to allow air to enter while a calf is suckling, preventing airlocks, and avoiding the calf swallowing air which can lead to intestinal problems.

Made from polycarbonate plastic, bottles features a ribbed hand grip and shouldnt break when dropped. Calibration marks assist with accurate measuring of liquid feed.

Bottles retail for £4.42 including a teat; spare teats cost £1.03. Colostrum packs are also available for £15.97 including bottle. Available nationwide (01474-813999, fax 01474-812112).

Keep passports safe and sure

FILE up to 48 cattle passports in A4-sized plastic sleeves which come in a lever file, from Cornish beef producer Jason Coad.

Stored three to a page, passports can be read or retrieved from the sturdy plastic pages with ease. Being strong and durable, sleeves can be used time and time again, says Mr Coad.

Available by mail order, a file complete with 16 sleeves costs £10. Free samples of sleeves are available (01208-75755, fax 01208-75287).

Spotting the heat

IMPROVE heat detection in cattle with Kamar detectors – now with a blue backing cloth – from supplier Cox.

Working the same way as the original white versions, a Kamar blue heat detector is glued to the cows tailhead and detonates after a firm mounting of three seconds. The blue cloth backing makes it clearly visible against white skin.

Now available in two colours, detectors should allow more flexibility when monitoring heat cycles, says the company.

Boxes contain 25 detectors and cost £20. Available nationwide (0181-668 2100, fax 0181-668 4196).