With farmers becoming increasingly aware of the dangers surrounding anthelmintic resistance, the demand for alternative solutions to routine dosing is increasing.

Micron Agritech is the company behind a new test kit which it hopes will eliminate the need for routine dosing on Irish farms.

The product is called Tástáil and is in the final stages of development.

Test kit

The on-farm test kit involves taking a faecal sample from the suspected animal and inserting it into the Tástáil analyser.

Farmers will be sent a positive or negative result within minutes of analysis for various diseases.

“Our product will help farmers stay compliant with EU policy, as it appears routine dosing could be banned by 2022 on Irish farms,” said CEO Sean Smith.

“Through the use of scientific analysis, we can reduce the use of medication on farms and in turn save farmers money.

"This will reduce resistance within the herd on the long-term basis and save time on testing.”

Tástáil test kit.

Theft prevention

Also at the Tullamore Show was the theft prevention company Traxsit.

Its product uses GPS trackers and machine immobilisers to help farmers control the whereabouts of their machinery.

“Rural theft is too common. Our tracker will enable you to immobilise, manage and locate your machinery wherever you are at the touch of a button,” said co-founder Luke O’Mahony.

The tracker relays real-time location of your machinery anywhere in the world using wide-area network technologies.

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