Making life easieras hooves get harder.

0800 686 124 www.agrimat.co.nz

Inside this issue:Introducing NDure A strong new matting breed

On-farm report The legend stands tall

Gift guide The xmas wish-list

The hot weather’s here…

A recent article on Stuff stated that this lameness “could be higher than 10 percent a year nationally and cost dairy farmers an average of $500 for each case of a cow out of production.” While it’s hard to accurately measure such numbers it is undoubtedly a costly problem.

We’re hard at work researching new products to provide answers to this problem, and one such innovation is the new NDure product we’ve developed this year. Providing exemplary grip and durable, hardwearing use, we’re proud of the results this matting is providing.

As more and more farmers are discovering our innovative product range we’re receiving some great feedback from customers. The case study in this flyer is one such example. We encourage constructive criticism also – we need to know if there are any aspects of our work we can improve. That’s why any and all feedback is welcomed – it’s all valuable guidance for how we develop our products and serve our customers.

Thanks for reading, Mike. Director, Numat

As the temperature goes up many more farmers are putting the matting down. It’s a good time of year to do so too. That’s because drier, hotter weather inevitably brings with it hardening hooves, slipping livestock and the associated problems of lameness.

Platform mats

“ The cows are now a lot happier, and no longer slip getting on and off the turnstile. ” Michael Driscole

Working in unsuitable positions for extended periods can cause musculoskeletal problems.

Platform Mats provide: Proven grip surface so cows are calmer when standing.

A warmer and quieter surface making it more comfortable.

A non-conductive area which helps reduce electrical current problems.

Query? Quote? Order? Give our friendly customer service team a call now on 0800 686 124

Getting the job doneNew on-farm report: Gordon David in Matamata

The low downLocation: Matamata Size: 380 square metres

Products: AgriMat Legend

“Sore feet” is the straightforward answer given by Gordon David when asked the reasons behind his purchase of new matting for his 300-strong dairy herd. When asked what he was looking for in matting pre-purchase Gordon was equally forthright, “I just needed it to do the job.”

Friends had recommended Numat products and he’d noticed the Kura matting when visiting a local store. So he had a good idea of what was required. From there it was a matter of assessing the options and ensuring the final choice was the right one.

The result? This last winter Gordon placed a good quantity of the Legend matting in the yard and bale area to a herringbone shed, ensuring his herd had stability and grip when entering the shed.

There was a little teething trouble with the arrival of the matting, as some packaging was not up to scratch. However this has now been put right by Numat and the rest of the installation went smoothly.

The cows have taken to the new matting quickly and happily too. “The first couple of times they were unsure of it,” said Gordon. “But after that everything’s gone smoothly.”

This is a noticeable difference in the behavior of the herd around the shed. “They have slowed down a lot coming in,” said Gordon. “Since the matting’s gone down we haven’t had one cow in the pit – which used to happen regularly.” Gordon is “really impressed” with the final outcome. “I’m really stoked with it all,” he said.

“ It’s immensely tough. Tractors can drive on it without farmers having to worry about damage.”

The welcome mat NDure greeted with open arms and steady feet

That’s why the new NDure brand by Numat has been so eagerly welcomed, the tough but economical recycled matting delivering a solid, safe and comfortable base for both short and long-term benefits for livestock. Now being introduced at leading dairy farms around New Zealand, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

The origin of the product came from a focused search by Numat for a recyclable material that could fit the low-cost, high-use, heavy-duty requirements. NDure matting is

sourced from conveyor equipment, processed and grooved before being made ready for installation.

As tough as concrete, but with far softer comfort, non-abrasive wear and anti-slip control for cow’s feet, the matting dramatically reduces cases of lameness in herds.

Ideal for gravel bases, NDure provides far greater flexibility for farmers wanting to extend the protection of matting across previously unprotected areas.

With the beating that matting takes farmers need to be confident in the long-term durability and ongoing functionality of what is laid down.

Protecting cows in high-traffic areas often requires use by farm workers too and here the rugged construction of the matting certainly helps. Perfect for laneways, it is now also being used on feed pads and stand-off pads also.

Thanks to a very strong inlay “it’s immensely tough,” says Numat’s Mike Judd. “Tractors can drive on it without farmers having to worry about damage.”

“It also doesn’t stretch like some other matting,” he adds. “Which provides ongoing peace of mind.”

The weight of the matting is another consideration. At approximately two tonne a roll, “it pays to be confident with where you place it,” says Judd, “where it gets installed it stays.”

Query? Quote? Order? Give our friendly customer service team a call now on 0800 686 124

Agrimat’s

NDure A much healthier, comfortable & more cost-effective alternative to concrete laneways & feed pads.

The softer comfort of recycled rubber is as tough as concrete.

A warmer and quieter surface underfoot.

No concrete base required - can be applied directly on top of gravel.

NDURE TOUGHNESS.LONG LASTING.IN STOCK NOW.

Kicking out the jamsNew on-farm report: Lucas Allcock

The low downLocation: Te Awamutu Size: 110 square metres

Products: AgriMat Legend

Lucas Allcock knew what he wanted. The Te Awamutu farmer needed matting with “a thick grip that was long lasting” for his 270-stong herd. The reason behind this purchase was plainly evident at each feeding time. “We were having problems with the cows coming up to feed. The big Friesians were jamming up and pushing each other. As a result we were getting a lot of lameness in the herd.”Having dealt with Numat before for a previous installation of pit matting, Lucas found the “service to be great” and the products “high quality and at a reasonable price”.In August the bails and exit area of the herringbone shed were covered with AgriMat Legend. The results were (almost) instantaneous. “The cows took a couple of milkings to get used to it,” said Lucas. “Now they seem to be a lot more comfortable coming in.” The big change has been with the diminished intensity with the animal’s movement. “Where before it was a regular occurrence we’ve only had one cow go down since the matting was installed,” he said. Feedback from the vet confirmed this – “they noticed how settled the cows were.”There was one more unexpected bonus also. “It’s recommended that farmers invest in dark sheets of plastic to lay down under the cows when stripping for mastitis,” said Lucas. “Concrete is completely unsuitable for this – you just can’t see it (signs of mastitis) on that surface. Now however, with the dark colour of the matting, we can check quickly and efficiently,” he said.

Query? Quote? Order? Give our friendly customer service team a call now on 0800 686 124

AgriMat’s range of equestrian matting is specifically designed to provide safer flooring surfaces for horses. The benefits are well proven in New Zealand equestrian circles:

Anti-slip surface = less risk of falls, less injuries, less fear, less stress

Non-abrasive = less hoof wear, less leg fatigue

Softer, warmer = more content animals

Easy to clean, non-porous = more hygienic conditions

Sound absorbing = more comfortable for you and your animals

Happier, healthier horses = a happier you!

Horses thrive on AgriMat

Stable mattingProduces outstanding outcomes

in the stable environment. Warmer, quieter & more

comfortable for you & your horses. Easier to keep clean, saving time

and reducing bedding costs by up to 80%.

Horse walkersProvides a more comfortable and

safer surface.Anti-slip qualities reduce the risk

of falls and injuries.Absorbs impact and prevents

tendons and joints from overstressing.

Floats & trucksExtra shock absorption &

reduced road noise.Reduces animal stress, leg

fatigue, overstressed joints and possible fall-related injuries

Protects the float from wear and tear.

The installation of Kura matting was quick and easy and the safety factor was highlighted on the first run. “The horses were on the new matting within minutes of it being put down. They weren’t having to pick up their feet to jump over holes like before.” TONY CLIMO, KAMADA PARK

New Zealand-wide design, installation and project management from concept to compliance.

Visit our website www.agrimat.co.nzor email us info@numat.co.nz

Working with AgriMat is easy.

Give our friendly customer service team a call now: 0800 686 124

With offices in the North & South Island,

we’ve got farms covered NZ wide.

Xmas treats all aroundUte matsSuper grip to prevent cargo from slipping around.

Acoustic properties cushion against vibration and bounce.

Custom-cut for many popular Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi utility vehicles. Or Numat can custom-cut to any shape and size for a perfect fit one-piece covering.

A great gift idea Now only $155

ComfortZone Pit matsA smart alternative to cold, hard concrete.

Relieves pressure off your feet, legs & back.

An anti-slip surface to prevent falls & injuries.

A warmer and quieter surface underfoot.

A great gift idea1mx1.8m interlocking mats $85ea

plus gst Free FreIGHT

Dairy Mailer Dec14

plus gst Free FreIGHT