Top 10 New Farm and Ranch Products For 2018
Each spring all things farm and ranch gather under one roof at the Mid-States Rendezvous bi-annual show in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Our North 40 team spent day one scouring the show floor, searching for products that enhance the farm and ranch experience and help you get work done more effectively and efficiently.
We sifted through thousands of items to find our Top 10, meaning the items we’re most interested to see and use when they hit the farm and ranch market, and our store shelves, in 2018. Following is a preview of those products, compiled late last night by our coffee-sipping North 40 team so that you could see them first this morning. Many of these products won’t hit our store shelves until later in 2018, but we hope our coverage gets you as excited as we are to use put these to use when they are available.
1. Standlee Horse Pill Carrier
We had almost finished up with the Standlee Forage Company after reviewing a number of new products when Denise Schnider, our website manager, spoke up and said “Hey Sam, did you see these?” Standlee has developed a new horse carrier made from alfalfa with a pocket in the middle to put your horse treat in (think pill pocket). At the bottom of the pocket there is a drop of cranberry gel to keep the pill stuck inside the pocket. It is a crunchy low-carb treat for the horse, and a much simpler way to get a horse to swallow a pill provided by its owner.
2. Weaver Leather Brahma Webb Goat Halter
There are two great things about this new goat halter offering from Weaver Leather. First, the new design incorporates two chains, which helps control the animal better and can be especially helpful when working with breeder goats that still have their horns. Second, this halter material is an exclusive leather alternative designed by Weaver Leather. The new material, called Brahma Webb, is softer and easier to clean than traditional leather products.
3. Y-Tex Y Tag
We walked into the Y-Tex booth knowing there was a new one-piece ear tag being launched this year. We were a bit skeptical because we also carry a one-piece tag from Farnam called the Z-tag, which is a similar design and has a longstanding history as a great ear tag in the Northwest. However, Phillip Ferrell from Y-tex ear tags summarized the new tags to these key benefits, “The new Y tags have differentiated themselves from other one-piece ear tags by redesigning the piece that goes in to the ear. The pointed end features a Surgi-tip,” he said, “while the back end has been redesigned to be sleeker, which causes less trauma to the ear and allows for better retention. One of the features we are most proud of is that the new tags come with a lifetime guarantee from the print fading due to using pure laser technology in applying the numbering on the tags.”
4. Little Giant Plastic Dome Feeder
Little Giant, one of the brands under the Miller Manufacturing umbrella, had many new products at the show this year, but the item that stood out is their new dome feeder. These are high-capacity feeders in 30, 45, and 60-pound models, which means you can take a few less trips to the chicken coop and still make sure your chickens are getting proper nutrition. The feeders are up off the ground with a very well made and sturdy base, which helps keep any pine shavings or “coop poop” from getting into the feed. This style of feeder has been popular in Europe for a number of years, and in fact the new feeders are actually being manufactured in Spain to ensure a best-in-class product as this new feeder finds its way in to the US marketplace.
5. Tuff Stuff Tire Feeder
Sitting on the top rack in the back of the booth at the Tuff Stuff booth, we nearly missed this item. The Tuff Stuff tire feeder is a 16-quart plastic bowl that is uniquely designed to fit snugly inside most any passenger tire. Most farms and ranches have an old tire or two laying around and now we can give those old tires a purpose. The tire feeder is UV and impact resistant and is great for feeding grains, holding salt blocks, or as a water bowl that won’t tip over or blow away.
6. Freeland Industries Three-Sided Galvanized Tank
Properly utilizing space when keeping animals is a must. Freeland Industries has come up with an innovative solution to help you achieve that goal with three-sided galvanized tanks coming in two different sizes – 1’ and 2’. “No one has manufactured a three-sided stock tank,” said owner Lynn Van Epps when describing the tanks. These tanks fit in corners unlike traditional tanks which can be cumbersome - this saves valuable space for your livestock. These tanks are manufactured in Portage, Wisconsin and have a 16-gallon rim for stability. Freeland Tanks are American-made and have been in existence for over 100 years, beginning in 1909.
7. Rope Smart Short Go Roping Dummy
What kids doesn’t like to throw a rope and dream of making the big time? Or, if not the big time, at least helping mom and dad on the ranch. That’s why the Short Go Roping Dummy caught our eyes. This product has wheels, which comparably make it much more interactive for the entire family than standard roping dummies. It’s quoted as being, “One of the most popular items people stop and use at National Finals Rodeo.” When pushed, the wheels light up with LED lights. This product is based off the full-size best seller, the “3 in 1 Roping Dummy.” It’s also based off the same science to encourage good roping habits. The back legs extend to create a target for heal roping opportunities, too.
8. Curicyn Hoof Care Kit
A number of hoof-care products came onto the market this year, but we were most impressed with the Curicyn system, which is packed into their new hoof-care kit. This is a three-part kit including a bandage that goes around the bottom of the hoof that literally looks like a giant band-aid. Attached with a zip-tie to the bottom of the bandage is a tube. Once you have affixed the bandage to the hoof you put the Curicyn formula solution into the tube to fill the hoof cavity. That begins the healing process. The Curicyn solution is a hypochlorous acid that naturally stimulates the healing process, cleans the wound, and protects it from infection. Lastly, once the hoof cavity is filled, a rubber bootie goes over the bandage to keep everything from shifting, which keeps the bandage and Curicyn solution securely on the horse’s hoof. We have not seen any other product on the market that provide this secure of a hoof healing solution, so we got some samples, and we are ready to put them to the test.
9. Coop Controls Automatic Chicken Coop Closer
Utilizing photo cell technology, the Coop Control Automatic Chicken Door Closer from Coop Controls is a great piece of technology that can revolutionize the way you keep chickens. “New chicken owners sometimes don’t realize the commitment they’re making, and this helps solve that problem,” said Coop Control’s Danny Young when addressing the level of upkeep chicken owners can face. Waking up early to let your chickens out, and making sure you get home at a proper time to get them back get home takes dedication. This product makes that task a little less daunting.
10. Classic HP Roping Glove
What rancher or farmer doesn’t need more gloves? Well, we found a great glove that you may want to use this year. The Classic HP Roping Glove is described as, “The most protective, best feeling glove on the market right now.” It’s made from HPPE material with anti-abrasion properties. It’s smart phone compatible with breathable technology. Check them out when they arrive.