Production — page 168

Bin level sensor A grain bin level indicator is now available from Farm Products Direct, Inc. The Levalert can be installed from outside a grain bin through a 11Ú8 inch hole, and allows producers to see the level of material in the bin without having to climb up and look inside. Levalert can sense almost […] Read more

Keeping crates full The most expensive part of any hog operation is the farrowing facilities. It is important to keep the farrowing crates full at all times to maximize returns. To do this, a gilt pool for replacements is critical. A farrowing barn might consist of four rooms of five crates each with three week […] Read more

Bi-fold door Oak Hill Manufacturing has introduced a new bi-fold door for quonsets and garages. The unit has a double roller chain cable lift for safety. It is designed not to be affected by the wind because the drive has power down as well as power up. It locks automatically wherever it is stopped. The […] Read more

Excessive nitrogen in pig manure Farmers who apply liquid pig manure to their fields can seriously pollute soil and water if the slurry contains more nitrogen than the plants can handle. This problem can be reduced by closely monitoring what the pigs are fed. There is an ideal balance which meets the needs of the […] Read more

Liquid manure coulter injection system Yetter has introduced a new liquid manure coulter injection system. The Avenger uses a two-inch drop tube to put pressurized liquid into a narrow trench cut in the soil by the coulter. There is little disturbance of the soil or crop residue. The system is designed to eliminate plugging and […] Read more

Heat stress With summer temperatures, swine producers need to be aware of potential breeding and conception problems in swine herds. Temperatures above 27 C can reduce breeding stock performance. When the respiration rate of a mature sow or boar exceeds 75 breaths per minute, the animal has been heat stressed and breeding performance will likely […] Read more

Pick-up bed extender Happy Hollow Inc. has introduced the Hitch Hand, a bed extender for pick-up trucks. The unit attaches to two-inch box hitches and allows the transport of items up to 14 feet long (4.2 metres) in a short-bed truck. The unit is built of 1Ú4 inch, zinc coated, heavy duty steel and is […] Read more

Piglets’ immune systems A substance in oats might boost pigs’ immune systems and help them fight disease. By stimulating the immune system of newborn pigs, Andrew Van Kessel, research scientist at the animal biotechnology centre at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, hopes to reduce neonatal rates of disease and death, improve growth rate and […] Read more

Air-purifying respirator MSA Canada has introduced the Advantage 200 half-mask air-purifying respirator. The unit is made from pliable rubber and plastic to provide comfort and fit, and to prevent the respirator from collapsing on the wearer’s face. It comes in small, medium and large sizes and is designed to be used with MSA’s low-profile, chemical […] Read more

Destroying weeds in straw Ammoniated straw is a weed-free mulch for strawberries and other horticulture crops. Tom Ward, of the horticulture science department at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, has found that treating straw with ammonia destroys weed seeds. He used a three percent application of anhydrous ammonia to control weed and grain seeds […] Read more