Joe and Lea Fouhy run 300 red deer hinds, 3100 Romney’s plus an Angus beef stud on ‘Glanworth’, their 600-hectare property south west of Pahiatua. They have two grown daughters; Katherine who is a private practice dietician and Bridget who manages the office for the stud and a son Shaun who is currently overseas.

Joe says the property could best be described as easy country comprising large areas of terraced flats and easy hill country running up to the Tararuas – ‘clean country which is good to farm.’

The Fouhy’s finish all their sheep and deer progeny and are kept busy with the demands of their busy stud. They have recently converted to using Zee Tags identification tags on their deer and stud cattle as part of a push to streamline their operation and achieve maximum efficiency when handling their stock.

‘Over the past two years we have gradually gone over to using Zee Tags, as our original tags needed replacing, especially on our deer. There are several reasons behind our decision to use Zee Tags - firstly we’ve found the applicator quick and easy to use on both our beef and deer. The flip out applicator pin makes it safer to use for us and for the stock – there’s no chance of ripping the ear or the tag being lost plus it’s a one tag for life system so there’s no re-handling of stock required.’

He says the bright easy to read Duramark® printing stands out well even when the animals are muddy and because the tags have a special UV coating there’s no fading and the dirt tends to just slide off. This helps the Fouhys identify stock from a distance so there’s no need to disturb them.

‘We’re now contemplating using the RFID tags to further enhance and stream line our record keeping which will be a big asset in our stud management system. We’ve had lots of questions for the Zee Tag staff and they’ve been helpful.

‘The Zee Tag staff has given us very good service – they are very helpful and practical and best of all stands right behind their product. We’ve found that they have gone out of their way to talk to us when we have questions for them.’

Joe says the attraction of the RFID system is the instant, watertight information the RFID tags will provide –‘each animal is recorded by a panel recorder permanently attached to the race. As the stock passes through the race their individual information can be collected and can be downloaded straight into an Excel spreadsheet and emailed anywhere in the country.’

Joe says they will watch with interest to see the latest Animal Health Board recommendations regarding tagging – time will tell but in the meantime the Fouhy’s will continue to gradually change over to the Zee Tags identification systems.

Zee Tags products can be ordered through, Performance Beef Breeders, rural supply stores and veterinary outlets throughout New Zealand. 

For further information call Zee Tags on 0800 493 382 or visit www.zeetags.co.nz

®Duramark is a trademark of Farnam Companies, Inc., USA.