Sheep movement system nabs top prize

Urana farmer Charlie Webb's invention, 'Back Up Charlie', has beat out 23 other entries to take home the coveted Henty Machine of the Year award.

The unique sheep handling system was officially launched at Sheepvention in Hamilton (VIC) in August this year, where it also won a prize for technology and invention.

It consist of a forcing yard that leads into a dual race for sheep movement into sheep handlers, crutching plants, scanning machines and other applications requiring a constant flow of sheep.

A key feature of the system is its lightweight hock bars that lie below the sheep's main line of vision which prevents sheep from backing up out of the race.

According to Henty Machine of the Year judge Warren Scheetz, the invention helps save time and effort in having to reload the race with sheep if they turn around and back out.

"Anyone who has ever worked sheep on their own can appreciate the usefulness of the product at minimising sheep backing out of the race once it is filled on the way to a sheep handler or drenching race," he says.

"It is easy to assemble, adjustable to fit various configurations and is portable."

In addition to improving sheep flow rate, the system also addresses animal welfare issues, according to inventor Charlie Webb.

"The need for excessive force or prodders is eliminated – one person with good dogs should be able to crutch over 70 sheep an hour, or with help, over 80 sheep an hour," he says.

"The sheep are not stressed, pushed and forced into the yards, and they run a lot better."

Designed and manufactured in Lockhart (NSW), the system has been trialled by Webb and his wife, Tana, on-farm for several years before launching to the market.

The award was presented to a thrilled Webb during the opening ceremony of the Henty Machinery Field Days, which ran from September 20 to 22 this year.

A runner up award was taken out by McIntosh Distribution for its Miller Nitro 6365 self-propelled sprayer fitted with Spray-Air technology.

A standout feature of the model, according to judges, is its drive train system which has been completely redesigned with variable displacement hydrostatic drive system and planetary torque hubs.

Miller Nitro claims the new drive train is capable of delivering up to 30 per cent reduction in fuel consumption compared to equivalent sized machines.

Another key feature of the 6365 is its Spray-Air technology which varies droplet sizes to suit different applications.

"The Spray-Air boom was deemed to be quite innovative combining the benefits of air assist and air atomisation into one spray nozzle system," Scheetz says.

"Overall the judges were impressed with the build and technology of all the entries in the Machine of the Year award.

"However, the Back Up Charlie was a standout entry as far as a new product and innovation went."