How it works
Spray races are typically made of pipes in a tunnel arrangement, with spray nozzles placed strategically to wet the cattle completely as they pass through.
A pump powered by a petrol engine, an electric motor, or a solar-powered pump (the best results come from pumps that supply large amounts of water while being run at relatively low pressure, such as a 6.5Hp water pump) draws the spray mixture from a sump and forces it under pressure through the spray nozzles.
The nozzles are particularly made in such a way that they can be modified to spray at different angles. This ensures that the animal is completely covered with spray, and a straightforward filtration system protects the entire system.
In comparison to more traditional techniques like cattle dipping and hand spray pumps, the amount of disinfectant utilized per animal is far lower.
Precautions
-Inspect the treated animals to make sure they are totally soaked, especially where the target pest is likely to be most prevalent, such as behind the ears or tails.
-Because the spray wash is recycled, it’s crucial to minimize the amount of dirt and other foreign material draining down into the sump.
-Regulate the flow rates of cattle through the race so that they stroll, not run, and may be adequately wetted.
- Inspect spray nozzles often to ensure that any that become blocked are readily detected and cleaned out or replaced.
- Take cattle through a footbath before they approach the sprayrace, this helps in the prevention of hoof disorders. Many hoof conditions, such as, laminitis, can affect cattle and lessen the movement and wellbeing of a cow and may cause lameness. Footbath solutions should be a minimum of 4 inches (10 cm) deep to ensure adequate coverage of the foot area. Copper sulfate is commonly used as a nonantibiotic footbath solution for cattle.
-Particular attention should be paid to”Stripping” othis occurs when a chemical is absorbed preferentially by the skin and hair coat. As a result, the spray is more effective, but the amount of the active chemical in the sump gradually decreases.
By using continuous replenishment, which automatically adds fresh dip water to the spray sump using the starting concentration of chemical, or reinforcement, which adds additional concentrated chemical when the sump level drops, the effects of stripping can be reduced, and all cattle are given an effective dose of chemical.
- On the product’s label, look for directions for “reinforcing,” “replenishing,” or “filling up” the water to lessen the effects of stripping.
Benefits of employing a spray race.
- There is less acaricide waste. Spray races enable a more adaptable operation; for instance, changing the acaracide is simple because of the volumes of water and acaracide needed for the system.
- It is appropriate for a big herd because it can quickly spray a lot of animals.
- The acaricide is properly applied to the animals.
- Running a spray race requires less labour; only one person is needed to start the motor and move the animals through the spray race.
- It is capable of handling small animals like sheep and goats.
- In addition to being less stressful for cattle, spray races are also better for weaker animals like calves and pregnant cows
-No swimming involved means, there are lower dangers of mishaps such as leg breaks
Problems in using a spray race.
-Spray race nozzles are prone to blocking if the sieve is not used, this may compromise effectiveness.
-To handle it, one needs technical knowledge
Improper construction/engineering will leave the farmer with an ineffective unit which can only compromise on results. The spray race must be properly operated; hence it is critical that the personnel are adequately trained.
Chipo Tachiona is co-director of Farmyard Investments
For all your solar or petrol powered Spray races, cattle crush, pen gates, troughs and scale cages
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