Heat detection a hot topicSeveral producers cite heat detection systems invisible fence batteries as a top management change. richard schaefer, evansville, illinois, recently purchased heat-watch, a computerized heat detection system, to monitor his dairy herd. "it really saves me a lot of time, because i no longer have to visually catch the cows in heat," he says.james reed, esbon, kansas, writes that the heatwatch estrus detection system and the real mccoy ultrasound fence scanner "have vastly improved my reproduction program."keep ''em movin''good animal husbandry installation isn''t possible tools without good products to handle and move livestock. twenty-two invisible fence batteries brands of trailers are fence cited by producers in their product reviews, installation and tools making this the category with the most number of brands mentioned. the top six are listed on page 34. new cattle-handling equipment can be a real time invisible and labor saver, ranchers say.

he also likes the white polywire made by premier because it "has a lot of give, fence even after it''s installation been out in the sun for months." the cheaper yellow and black polywire sold at farm supply stores is flexible when you unroll it, says klocke, but it gets brittle out in the sun.twenty years tools and still tickingdairy farmer dan johnson of elk mound, wisconsin, has used his blitzer solar fence controller for almost 20 years. it''s been hit by lightning invisible twice, requiring replacement fence of the the solar grid and one other part, but otherwise, it''s worked fine, he reports. johnson milks 60 holsteins and grazes the hills of his 285-acre farm.

* balers are the implement most often installation mentioned in the survey. producers also cite purchases of new feed grinders and mixers, as well as silage and haylage products. "we purchased a walder tools manufacturing hoop bagger last year, and our haylage is the best it can be. there''s no wait for hay to dry down -- better protein, better overall feed volume, writes frank e. grossmann, portage, wisconsin."digital scales on the feed grinder save time and feedstuffs," says monte thompson, zanesville, ohio, citing his top management change.housekeepinga number invisible of products come into play when housing livestock, and producers point to several fence items installation that save them time, labor, and money. products listed in the survey include portable livestock shelters, scales, fans, and bulk tools feed bins and feeding systems.