Farm Animal

FIL Tell Tail Paint aerosols can be used as tail paint, or as very good general purpose stock markers particularly suitable for cattle (not for use on wool). Colours are fluoro, and are highly visible and will usually last up to four weeks, even in wet weather. So as well as being genuine tail paints for mating identification, they are also ideal for warning marks in the dairy. Another great feature with FIL is that the can empties its full contents, even if used horizontally. One can will do 40-50 average tail marks. Net contents 500ml.

FILTell Tail is the original tail paint applicator product. Just pull off the sealing cap and lightly squeeze the bottle. Paint is oil-based. The plastic bottles do not flatten out, even after repeated use. Replace the cap after each usage. (To keep the brush head in top condition, apply a little vaseline inside the cap, to keep air out).

Correctly formulated solution to ensure consistent mastitis testing. (Non-professional solutions can give varying results.) Generally testing requires 1 litre per 50 cows. Solution is added to the RMT paddle in at least the same amount as the milk. Ideally the solution is used from a squirt or pump bottle. RMT solution is non-toxic, but is coloured blue for easy identification. Coagulation of the milk sample indicates the presence of somatic cells in high concentration.

Tailwell has only three moving parts. Of these, only one - the self-lubricating sliding-block Rotator Bearing - is subject to any wear. The reduction in moving parts has resulted in a cutting machine that draws the minimum amount of power, ensuring the maximum number of tails are cut from each charge.

Tailwell should be used on a 14-volt cordless power drill, with an operating speed of 1,200 to 1,750rpm. (Higher or lower drill speeds do not cut better, and may damage the machine, voiding any warranty.) A lightweight drill with a high quality battery is the best to use. A quality Li-ion 1.5Amh 14v drill battery should allow trimming of about 70 tails per charge, depending on conditions.

The Tailwell is simply placed through the flexible drill sleeve, and the chuck tightened firmly on the drive shaft. The drill-sleeve is then pulled back firmly onto the drill body to prevent any rotation of the machine. The bungee cord is then put around the back of the drill, and pulled firm. This part is for safety only, to prevent the Tailwell dropping off the drill if the chuck becomes loose.

If tails are not contaminated by sand, the cutters should stay sharp for more than 2,000 tails (depending on conditions). Sharpening the cutters is easily done by inexperienced users. The cutters are removed by opening the drive case. (Tools are supplied for this.) Honing paste is then applied to the cutter faces and they are ‘ground’ together by hand. This process should take only a few minutes. DVD and hard copy instructions are supplied.

Most important is regular and frequent lubrication of the cutters. Special oil is supplied in the kit. Tailwell Cutter Lubricant has been formulated specially for this purpose. It is a non-throw, non-dust-gathering light oil which will not ‘clog’ the cutters. We strongly recommend continued use of this lubricant, available from your Tailwell stockist. Lubricant should be used sparingly but frequently on the cutter tips - every 30-40 tails (or more frequently with sand contamination).

If cutting performance drops, the cutter tension should be adjusted promptly, before hair becomes trapped between them. This is achieved using the three finger-only screws at the back of the cutter head. Follow instructions supplied. Cutters must be kept correctly tensioned at all times to ensure correct cutting performance and cutter life.

Learn more about the Tailwell.

Feed several lambs on one bottle-full with our 2.5 litre Easy Feeder. This bottle uses our popular ‘Little Softy’ teat. Or just buy our teat/cap assembly and convert your Easy/Speedy Calf Feeder to a lamb feeder.

Well known rubber lamb and kid feeding teat, which can be used in a ‘calfeteria’ type feeder. The teat can be fitted through a 14mm hole and will take 11mm o.d. calfeteria-type delivery tubing in the back. Or it can be stretched over a ‘pop’ bottle as a bottle feeder (but needs an air-inlet in this configuration). Cross-cut or round hole tip. Hole teat is softer.

A 3/8” tattoo digit is suitable for all animals, sheep or cattle. It produces a digit 10mm tall. Six and 8 place pliers have digits in two rows of 3 and 4 places. For 6 and 8 place special blocks, order two x 3 or 4 place blocks. To identify if your tattoo plier is Short Pin or Long Pin, look for an ‘S’ or an ‘L’ stamped on the inside of one handle.

Every cattle farmer needs a decent bloat knife. This one is made for the job. Just make sure it always hangs on the same handy nail to grab in that emergency. 10cm blade. 23cm over-all. Special quality sheath of heavy-duty leather, riveted around blade for safety and also with elastic safety loop for handle.

Summer flies are a real pain. They come into the shed with the herd and then hang about in the shade of the milking area, biting cows and people alike. For many years farmers have tried various garden-sprinkler systems to reduce flies and heat. But these are generally employed in the yard, rather than on the milking platform. Cool Cow is the new fly and heat control system from the young New Zealand company Pesky Ideas. Cool Cow is the whole kit you need. It includes 65m of 4mm-i.d. heavy-wall plastic delivery line, plus all the fittings required to plumb it from your washdown pump pressure line. The plastic line is routed around the milking platform, herring bone, or rotary. It is then cut at regular points for the push-fit mister couplings to be installed (up to 30 of). A line cutting tool is supplied. The brass misters are then screwed into the couplings. A main tap and line filter are supplied. With the main tap on, the mist system operates as the yard pump is turned on and off as required.
Cool Cow is a great system for control of biting flies, and also for keeping cows cool and comfortable in the dairy. You will see immediate reduction in cow fidgeting, tail swinging, and cups kicked off.

The Pritchard lamb feeding teat is known around the world. Developed in New Zealand by Mr Jack Pritchard it is ideal for new-born lambs, kids and other small animals. Made of soft latex rubber. Cap will fit all standard PET plastic ‘pop’ bottles (28mm thread). The Pritchard teat features a cone tip which is cut off at lower levels to provide faster flow. A ball valve allows air inlet to the bottle.

This furnace has a single gas burner, and is suitable for up to 3 or 4 single-digit brands, or for 2 singles and a 3-piece together. Furnace dimensions are 40cmW x 22cmD x 15cmH. Brand opening is 30cm x 10cm.

A 5/8” tattoo digit is suitable for cattle and other large animals. It produces a digit 16mm tall. 5/8” digit pliers are supplied single row only. 

NB: To order single digits, specify: “Tattoo Digit 5/8” number/letter...........”