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Company now running Arthrogryposis Multiplex test on cattle genetic samplesPfizer Animal Genetics, New York, N.Y., is now processing customer samples for Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM). Pfizer Animal Genetics' testing procedures have been validated by Dr. Jon Beever and confirm they result in identical, accurate outcomes. "A significant amount of collaboration with various industry partners has brought us to the point where we are now able to provide a test for AM," says Nigel Evans, vice president of Animal Genetics, a business unit of Pfizer Animal Health. "Our team has worked incredibly hard to offer this service to the industry as quickly as possible. With the AM test now running, we can work with producers to help reduce the impact of this genetic defect." A lethal genetic defect, AM affects some Angus and Angus-influenced cattle. Calves carrying two recessive genes--resulting from the mating of two carrier animals--are stillborn with a twisted spine and extended and contracted limbs. AM is expressed as a result of a deletion affecting two genes and has been traced back to a few prominent Angus bloodlines. A significant number of current Angus and Angus-influenced animals are related to these prominent family lines. For a list of results from A.I. bulls that have already been tested, please visit www.angus.org/NAAB_release.pdf. Samples are being tested in the order in which they are received at Pfizer Animal Genetics' laboratory. If there are pending deadlines for testing that must be met, producers should contact Pfizer Animal Genetics Customer Service and every effort will be made to prioritize work to accommodate special requests. Producers wishing to include AM and GeneSTAR test results in a sale catalog or printed advertisement must provide a minimum of two weeks advance notice prior to printing deadlines. Pfizer Animal Genetics has proactively worked to expand its testing capacity in order to serve producers, and has implemented a testing schedule through the holidays in order to provide timely turnaround for results. If customers have not already submitted samples for testing of suspect Angus or Angus-influenced cattle, they are encouraged to do so for timely turnaround. Order forms and a sample collection guide are available at www.pfizeranimalgenetics.com. Samples may be submitted as hair follicles, blood FTA cards, semen samples or whole blood samples in purple-topped blood tubes. When submitting hair samples, producers should make sure that more than 25 hair follicles (with bulb) are included to ensure an adequate volume of DNA is available to complete the test. For more information, call a Pfizer Animal Genetics representative or Customer Service at 877-BEEF-DNA, or visit www.pfizeranimalgenetics.com. New eartag offers advanced technology for beef, dairy managementEriginate Corporation, Leroy, Minn., has announced the availability of eTattoo, an ultra-high frequency radio frequency identification (UHF RFID) cattle management eartag that brings first-of-its-kind technology to beef and dairy producers. The new technology allows the capture of data from multiple animals simultaneously with the added benefits of gaining greater read ranges at much faster speeds than conventional technology. "The UHF RFID technology delivered with eTattoo tags provides superior technology for collecting data from individual animals collected in large pens or across groups of pens in a fraction of a second, even while animals are moving," says Doran Junek, Eriginate chief executive officer. "UHF RFID allows optimization of read distances so producers can read information from either the front or back of the animal from a distance of more than 25 feet using a fixed reader or up to 15 feet using a handheld." The dangle design also enables both visual and electronic identification, so producers can include management and parentage information on the tag for easier sorting and grouping. This alleviates the need to have visual and RFID tags by incorporating both features into one product, and will make it easier for producers to take advantage of the technology. A specified handheld or fixed-position reader and antenna enable data collection from the tags. Recommended units are available from Eriginate. eTattoo was most-recently demonstrated in a real-world testing environment in November 2008 at the Holton, Kan., Livestock Exchange. In less than one hour an antenna was installed on the left side of the sale ring. A group of 18 steers carrying eTattoo UHF RFID tags were run through the sale ring. All tags were read with 100 percent accuracy within 20 seconds with the one stationary antenna. Ultra-high frequency differs from low-frequency tags in significant ways. First, UHF RFID enables a longer read range which makes it more robust under field conditions. Also, because of its shorter wavelength, UHF RFID is less susceptible to interference. UHF RFID can also accept much more data at a much higher transfer rate. The highest possible data rate at the 915 MHz frequency of the UHF RFID technology is about two megabytes per second. Comparatively, the highest possible data rate at the 125 KHz offered by low-frequency technology is approximately 50 bits per second. While low-frequency technology has been available in warehouse management for more than 10 years, several significant retail and consumer-based entities have moved to the newer ultra high-frequency technology for asset management and tracking. These include the U.S. Department of Defense, Wal-Mart and Target. These entities demand their suppliers utilize UHF RFID asset tags on products they receive. Of great importance, too, is the fact that UHF has been accepted as a global standard--recognized by both the EPC global and ISO standards organizations. "The hardware, software and service network already exist to support UHF RFID," says Junek. "Wal-Mart and Target have already adopted this global standard for tracking inventories and have helped create a UHF RFID infrastructure that can readily adapt to the cattle industry." For more information, call 785-694-3468, or visit www.eriginate.com or www.etattootag.com.
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SOIL PH METER--Spectrum Technologies, Inc., Plainfield, Ill., introduces the FieldScout SoilStik pH Meter. This soil pH meter makes lab-accurate measurements on-the-spot with a robust flat surface electrode. Simply touch the sensor electrode directly onto a moist soil sample. Also measures the pH of irrigation water and pesticide spray solutions too. The FieldScout SoilStik pH Meter is waterproof. The unique flat electrode will not clog and is easily replaceable. Features include automatic temperature compensation, data hold function, and alerts when recalibration or sensor replacement is required. For more information, call 800-248-9984 or 815-436-4440, or visit 
STRIP TILL POINT--Shield Agricultural Equipment, Hutchinson, Kan., now offers the ST-16 HD Strip Till Point, designed specifically for 8- to 12-inch deep application and subsoil shattering on strip till rigs. This heavy-duty point is designed to work through compaction zones (hard pan) and flow soil around the shank to minimize landside wear and to pull easy at higher working depths. Each is available in 16- and 18-inch lengths with segmented chrome carbide shank protection that stops soil flow up the shank. The new heavy-duty shattering point flows soil around the shank. A wide variety of primary tubes are available in mild steel or stainless. An optional TB-18 tube for custom placement of acid/liquid is also available. For more information, call 800-798-1968 or visit 
