Agri-Tech imports is an importing company establised in 2018 by farmers to source innovative solutions for on-farm needs.
Paul and Kyllee Henton are Dairy Farmers in Kelso, West Otago. In 2015/2016 they designed and built a covered feedpad for 600 cows. The feedpad was used in the 16/17 dairy season with a concrete floor. While fantastic gains were made in feed conservation and production the levels of lameness did increase in the herd and the shed was not able to be used to its full potential as a standoff/loafing pad for weather/pasture protection as the cows could only be kept standing on concrete for a limited time.
In 2016 they sourced a company overseas who were able to design a mat to their specifications and manufacture to the quality they wanted.
In 2017 they imported the rubber matting for their own shed and self-installed it in the middle of calving last season. The change to the cows was immediate and the heifers were the quickest to adapt. A sign that a cow is comfortable with what is underfoot is that she is happy to lie down (loaf).
While they had a mild spring in 2017 the summer of 2018 was extremely hot and we used the shed extensively to provide the herd with shade and access to water and feed under cover. This spring they will be using the shed and rubber matting to transition the springers and reduce feeding space pressure on their calving pad by only moving cows on there when they are within a couple of days of calving.
Due to their belief in the quality of the mats and the increase in their herd comfort and welfare Paul and Kyllee have establised a business to import the rubber mats for other farmers and horse owners in New Zealand. We welcome visitors to our farm by prior appointment only so they we can manage health and safety and biosecurity. For further information or to arrange a visit please contact Paul on 027 244 3354 or email pkhenton@xtra.co.nz
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