SA's competitiveness compared with interstate counterparts has often been called to question but one exhibitor at the recent Yorke Peninsula Field Days begs to differ.
Roswell Ag began commercial production of its round poly cattle feeder earlier this year.
The poly parts are manufactured in Adelaide by Team Poly. Originally, the manufacturing was done in Sydney but the company's managing director Bill Findlay said the service offered from Adelaide was exceptional, particularly in terms of turnaround times.
"It's a credit to the SA industry that they can compete and outdo the east coast. Even if we're delivering to a NSW farmer, it's more competitive for us to use an Adelaide manufacturer, because the quality and technology is miles ahead," he said.
He said the ground-breaking, Australian-made and owned feeder offered longevity, efficiency and safety, reduced costs and optimised supplementary cattle feeding.
"Best of all, it solves virtually everything that's annoyed cattle producers about metal cattle feeders for years," Mr Findlay said.
He designed the round poly cattle feeder, made from Alkatuff LL711UV.
"It's a premium, linear low-density polyethylene perfect for Australian conditions," Mr FIndlay said.
"It is tough and durable, so if it bends, it easily bends back. It's a no-rust, efficient and easy-to-use solution.
"Unlike metal feeders, it's lightweight and modular, so it costs up to 80 per cent less to transport, and is easy to set up and move about the farm or dismantle for longer trips.
"And, because it's poly, it's just like a Teflon frying pan - the feed does not stick to it but if it does, it's easy to clean, and it's simple to maintain."
While he is based on the east coast, Mr Findlay had close ties to SA, having grown up on a property east of Burra, so he was happy to return to his home state to do business.
Paula Thompson
Stock Journal's markets editor.
Stock Journal's markets editor.
