The Wash Hand II is a second-generation barn washer built to answer the challenges of modern pressure washing needs. The unit features new dual tip spray heads and an improved guide system.

A simple and flexible design allows the machine to do a tremendous amount of work. The Wash Hand II is designed to wash one side of an alley at a time and sprays about 10 ft. It can be set to spray ceilings, walls or floors.

“The strengths of this product are for use in the farrowing barn and nursery,” explained Jerome Mack, president of Swine Robotics, Inc. The Wash Hand II is a simplified version of the Wash Hand barn washer. Mack estimated it takes a person about 30 minutes to finish power washing a room after the Wash Hand II has completed its cycle. It is powered by a marine battery that will last approximately 30 hours between charges.

The panel liked the simplified version of the machine. “Lots of times, power washing is the job nobody wants,” Dave Uttecht noted.

The Wash Hand II sells for $6,995.

Learn more at www.swinerobotics.com.

Call 877-202-9927.

First Pulse D is a refined colostrum nutritional supplement designed to improve the viability and livability of small and fall-behind piglets, explained Russell Fent, swine technical nutritionist with Ralco Nutrition, Inc.

“We wanted to be able to provide a product that would target pigs that really need a boost,” he explained. “If you can positively trigger the pig's desire to eat, then you dramatically increase the chances of that pig surviving and catching up with its littermates.”

First Pulse D provides a rich source of unique, bioactive peptides and nucleotides and contains oregano oil extract and refined vegetable oil. The product naturally helps stabilize the piglet immune system, restores piglet appetites and provides an immediate energy source.

Dave Uttecht asked about recommended age at treatment. Fent recommended focusing on the bottom one or two pigs in every litter within 24 hours after birth and any fall-back pigs in the farrowing house.

Jeff Feder, DVM, asked about dosing specifics. Fent said the product is typically given orally as one, 2-cc dose. Marcia Shannon learned from Jeff Knott, nutritionist with Ralco Nutrition, Inc., that the cost per dose of First Pulse D runs around 25¢/dose. The product does not require refrigeration.

Feder inquired about research trials, and Fent explained that previous data showed great benefit for the bottom 20% of pigs in the farrowing house. Additional experiments are underway.

“The benefit of this product is the way it is administered,” Shannon said. “I thought it was economical if it can help save pigs and get them back into production with the others.” Uttecht agreed, saying, “It seems to be easy to use as compared to some of the paste products. I am anxious to see the data from the current studies.”

Learn more at www.ralconutrition.com.

Call 800-533-5306.

The I-Box from Automated Production Systems is a complete data management tool that can provide real-time information on feed inventory, feed consumption, water usage, animal weight, environmental conditions and even live, in-barn surveillance.

Current data and up to two years of historical data can be viewed or downloaded in report or graph form, from any computer equipped with an Internet connection and standard Internet Explorer software.

Multiple users can be looking at various types of information at one time because I-Box is actually an Internet server, explained Jeff Schoening, Automated Production Systems district sales manager. Different access levels can be set to allow specific information to be available to select users.

The I-Box's data flagging function gives the user the ability to set parameters on any function being monitored by the system. The user can receive notification by email, pager, or text messaging when any value is detected outside of the desired range. The system can also be set up to provide daily or weekly email reports.

Schoening said the I-Box works best with high-speed Internet connections, but can also be used with dial-up.

The panel agreed that the data collected could be a good tool for catching trends that may signal problems, such as a disease outbreak. They also pointed out that it is crucial to have a person in the operation who understands and monitors the data.

“This system does a good job of bringing water, feed and ventilation all together,” noted Jay Harmon. Jeff Feder, DVM, agreed, saying, “It is nice to be able to bring the data together and graph it so you can take a good look at the information.”

The cost is approximately $200-300/month, depending on the level of service.

Learn more at www.automatedproduction.com.

Call 217-226-4449.