The RABDF Livestock Machinery and Equipment Award made to the product that delivers the most economic value to the livestock sector was presented to Pyon Products at the Livestock Event held at The NEC, Birmingham on 6 and 7 July.
The award was made to its newly launched Store and Thaw Colostrum Management System that provides the tools to harvest, test, label, freeze and quickly thaw colostrum to enable it to be fed within the first few hours after birth.
Pyon Products won this year's Machinery Equipment Award at the Livestock Event
“The entry was a clear winner,” commented Lyndon Edwards, RABDF council member and chairman of the three-strong judging team. “We were impressed by the very practical, simple and value for money system which is British made – it ticks all the boxes. It will enable farmers to facilitate feeding quality colostrum within the first few hours of life, which will make a massive improvement to the animal’s health not only in the first few weeks but for the rest of its life.”
Pyon Products’ Gill Dickson said: “We were delighted to win the RABDF award for the second consecutive year; it offers a great opportunity for small firms like ours to compete with international companies. Customers like simple, affordable, practical solutions to help rear their calves.” She added: “We really hope this product helps to puts the spotlight on feeding colostrum quickly after birth. While it’s such a small job, it is so important as it can have a huge effect on future health and performance and profitability, and as herds a getting larger, establishing a good colostrum protocol is increasingly important to ensure all calves get a good start.”
RABDF created the award for exhibitors to the Livestock Event to recognise the importance of machinery and equipment to the current and future profitability of the livestock farming industry. The judges appraised each of the seven entry’s innovation, its economic advantages to the farmer, running costs including replacement parts and prices, servicing requirements, safety features, energy usage, potential market and list price.