The patented Bradshaw Rub Block (BRB) product has been developed as a waterproof set-and-forget primary treatment method for the control of fly-borne parasites on cattle. The BRB patent covers the transfer method of delivering an active ingredient for the control of external parasites on livestock and is not limited to any particular active ingredient.
See how this patented product has increased efficiency and safety for the primary producer; improved animal welfare; is better for the environment; and improved sustainability.
Yarding cattle for treatment against fly-borne, blood feeding parasites (such as buffalo fly, horn fly, face fly, mosquitos and midges) is time consuming and expensive. This is simply no longer necessary when using the Bradshaw Rub Blocks (BRB).
The new inventive and patented BRB product is a set-and forget self-applicator product, that will last several months without recharging or maintenance. The BRB product is a waterproof solid wax-based product impregnated with an active ingredient during manufacture. The BRBs are reinforced with coconut husk during the manufacturing process. The coconut husk binds the product together to provide the required structural integrity to withstand the impact of cattle.
A single walk-through back rub station using the BRBs will treat approximately 500 head of cattle for numerous months.
The BRB set-and forget self-applicator system has both versatility and longevity. It is a product that can last for several months, so will provide the global cattle industry with the most efficient fly borne parasitic control system to date.
Continued care needs to be taken with the use of parasite control products to prevent or delay the onset of parasite resistance to Organophosphate (OP) and Synthetic Pyrethroids (SP) chemical-based treatments. The overuse of chemicals (and particularly the continuous use of a single chemical treatment) is typically attributed to being the main factor for parasite resistance to OP and SP chemical-based treatments. However, there is little consideration that the existing delivery methods are in fact, contributing to the parasite resistance problem.
Overspray’s and parasitic control ear tags, both have the common flaw that the concentration of the treatment is continually diminishing once applied to the animal. This flaw clearly provides a window of opportunity for parasitic resistance, as the strength of the chemical in the ear tag diminishes after being applied to the animal. There are costs and logistical issues to yard and headbale each individual animal at the end of the fly season to remove expired ear tags. This often results in the expired ear tags remaining in the ear of cattle, until there is a need to yard and head bale cattle for other reasons.
The use of natural essential oil-based deterrents, at the beginning and the end of the fly season, is an option to reduce the overuse of OP and SP chemical-based treatments. The ability of the BRB to easily alternate between treatment options, will encourage greater use of essential oil-based deterrents. Therefore, BRB offers a quick and easy solution for the interchange between chemical products and natural essential oil-based deterrents, without any cross contamination.
In summary, the existing transfer methods are contributing to the parasite resistance problem due to the diminishing concentration while in service. BRB is the solution to the parasite resistance build up to OP and SP based treatments. The BRB will deliver a consistent chemical concentration for the life of the product in the field.
Animal welfare is at the forefront of all graziers’ and farm practices. The BRB self-applicating product is an exceptionally low stress and low-cost option for the treatment of fly-borne blood feeding parasites on cattle.
Cattle will naturally rub to relieve themselves of irritation inflicted by the biting parasites. Quite often, cattle use small shrubs or saplings to scratch the underside of their belly or between their legs for relief. Nature can be cruel at times, and these blood feeding parasites will target these areas on the animal. The versatility of the BRB means that it can be mounted in a vertical position. This makes it very easy for cattle to relieve themselves of the irritation in these targeted areas, all while transferring active ingredient treatment to the animal.
The BRB has also been designed to eliminate the risk associated with the incorrect mixing and storage of liquid chemicals on farm. Some Organophosphate (OP) based products are susceptible to the highly dangerous process of hydrolysis. Hydrolysis occurs when small amounts of water inadvertently enter the chemical container during decanting or storage. This situation can result in the stored chemical becoming highly toxic, which is not visually detectable. Unfortunately, this can result in the accidental death of livestock. The BRB eliminates these genuine and tangible risks.
The solid structure of the BRB offers the most environmentally sound method for the transfer of chemical-based treatments to cattle for the control of fly borne parasites.
During the design phase, it was an unconditional deliverable that the BRB Rub Block does not release a single drop of chemical to the ground. We are proud to say this has been achieved!!
Chemical treatments, particularly Organophosphate (OP) chemical treatments, have played a pivotal role in the control of parasites on livestock globally for many years. However, due to environmental and safety concerns, some countries have moved to restrict or ban the use of OP chemicals.
Unfortunately, (due to the lack of on-farm containment infrastructure) various methods of administering OP chemical treatments, inevitably result in the uncontrolled release of OP chemicals going to ground. Without improved methods to contain and eliminate the uncontrolled release of OP chemicals when treating livestock, it is very probable that additional countries will also move to restrict or ban the use of OP chemical treatment products in the future. The BRB product has been designed to eliminate the uncontrolled release of any active chemical ingredient going to ground. The wax-based transfer method is designed not to drip; the only transfer of chemical is from the BRB to the hide of the animal.
The BRB has incorporated the use of organic products where possible in the manufacturing process. The BRB patent includes the use of coconut husk throughout the BRB to bind the product together. A timber bush is used through the centre of the BRB, to provide a sound envelope to either suspend the BRBs on a chain, rope or wire.
There are inherent safety risks involved when concentrate chemical-based treatments are required to be mixed on-farm, before being administered to livestock. Not only is there a risk of getting the mix ratio wrong, there is also the risk of chemical contact and inhaling the chemical vapours. Too often a lack of planning to acquire the correct PPE, combined with many properties being located in remote areas where safety supply outlets are not readily available, results in poor practice when handling, mixing and administering chemical-based treatments.
Some Organophosphate (OP) based products are susceptible to the highly dangerous process of hydrolysis. Hydrolysis occurs when small amounts of water inadvertently enter the proprietary chemical container during decanting or storage. This situation can result in the stored chemical becoming highly toxic, which is not visually detectable. Unfortunately, this can result in chemical poisoning, or in the worst case, it can be fatal. The BRB eliminates these genuine and tangible risks.
During the final stages of manufacture, the BRB is coated with a thin chemicalfree wax film, which wears off quickly when in service. This eliminates any skin contact with chemical products during installation.
Website designed, hosted & maintained by Allcorp © 2023
All content, including photos and graphics, displayed on this website are protected by copyright laws. Downloading, republication, retransmission or reproduction of this website’s content and special artwork to a 3rd party website or any other form of media is strictly prohibited.