This month’s edition of “Gizmos & Gadgets” features a 14-foot cattle stock waterer, a remote livestock facility monitoring system, a cattle weight estimator and new forage equipment models.

Stock waterer for large cattle herds

Ritchie, a leader in livestock watering innovation since 1921, has unveiled the longest and largest waterer in company history: the WaterMaster 1400. Ritchie understands that water is vital for every system in an animal’s body, from digestion to nutrient transport. The WaterMaster 1400 was built to keep the largest herds hydrated. At 14-feet (ft.) long and holding 110 gallons, it provides fresh, clean water for up to 500 beef cattle or 250 dairy cows. Plus, its rapid-refill high-pressure valve keeps the WaterMaster 1400 trough filled so cattle stay hydrated all day, every day, which is essential for performance.

From free-stall barns to feedlots, the WaterMaster 1400 is ideal for demanding environments. Its narrow trough fits easily in dairy barn crossovers and alleyways, while its impact-resistant polyethylene body stands up to the wear and tear caused by large herds and prolonged sun exposure in feedlots.

With optional immersion heaters and self-regulating heat cables, the WaterMaster 1400 is suited for all climates, so cattle stay hydrated year-round, and producers can skip the ice-chipping chore that comes with winter’s freezing temperatures.

For more information visit http://bit.ly/4luMG3h.

Remote monitoring systems for livestock facilities

Consistent conditions are crucial for livestock safety and smooth operations. The Sensaphone Sentry and Sentinel systems provide livestock facility managers with a simple and affordable solution for around-the-clock equipment and condition monitoring.

The Sensaphone Sentry monitoring system is a cellular-based device that is easy to install and configure. It is designed for locations with no access to a landline or internet connection. The Sentry system:

• monitors up to five conditions, such as temperature, humidity, power failure and water detection;
• sends alerts via phone, text or email over standard cellular networks; and
• enables quick evaluation and response to prevent costly malfunctions.

The Sensaphone Sentinel cellular-based monitoring device is a robust system that is easy to install, integrate and manage. The Sentinel system:

• monitors up to 12 conditions, including temperature, humidity, air flow, carbon dioxide, water pH, power outages and water detection;
• supports sensors for detecting malfunctions in circulation fans, ventilation systems, and heating and air conditioning units; and
• more.

For more information visit http://bit.ly/4mjnVZ3.

Instant cattle weight and value estimation

Cattle Worth™ is a free app designed to merge the world of artificial intelligence (AI) with the world of beef commerce. It enables stakeholders in the cattle industry to estimate the value of a herd quickly and accurately just by taking a photo.

Upload your photo: Cattle Worth has developed a proprietary algorithm that enables users to estimate the weight of cattle accurately. Capturing an image of the cattle using any smartphone makes the process of estimating cattle weight effortless and convenient.

Analyze results: Once uploaded, an algorithm analyzes thousands of individual image pixels and then provides an estimation of the weight based on that analysis. As more and more images are processed and analyzed, the accuracy of the algorithm improves, leading to reliable weight estimations.

Results: Cattle Worth then compares the weight of the cattle to the current live cattle prices in the market and delivers a comprehensive value or worth to the user. With a low monthly subscription fee, anyone can easily receive information on an individual animal or an entire herd.

For more information visit http://bit.ly/4fNp0WW.

Triple mowers, rotary rakes and tedders

Vermeer announced an expansion of its product line to include triple mowers, rotary rakes and a large tedder. These new products will be available for the 2025 hay season, reinforcing the Vermeer commitment to providing high-performing equipment that maximizes productivity and efficiency for hay, dairy and beef producers.