2024 was a monumental year for Soletech. After years of development, we officially launched the Soletech Dehorner, and it has been incredible to see the tool in action across New Zealand and Australia. The feedback has been fantastic, and we’re truly grateful for the support from veterinarians who have embraced the dehorner in their work.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the year was hearing from professionals who’ve used the tool. Dr. Bill Tranter shared his experience:
"The Soletech Dehorner is a handy, easy-to-use device for dehorning those cattle that have missed disbudding or dehorning as young calves. I have selected strongly for polled cattle for some years in my own herd of Simmental/Belmont Red/Brangus cattle. Invariably, a few yearlings sneak through with horns. This year, I tried the Soletech Dehorner on some well-restrained animals after administering local anaesthetic. The horns were removed quickly with no blood or obvious pain. More importantly for me (the operator), there was minimal physical effort."
Dr. Tranter’s extensive credentials include BVSc PhD FANZCVS (Hon), and he is an Adjunct Professor at JCU: College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences. His endorsement is an honour and a testament to the impact the tool is making.
Dr. Ivan Holloway BAgSc, BVSc, MVM (Production animals) and is the Production Animal Business Manager at Vetlife, described the dehorner as:
"The easiest dehorning I've ever done in my life. It’s the future of dehorning."
These testimonials reflect what we’ve been striving for: a tool that is effective, efficient, and easy to use, while improving animal welfare. As Dr. Holloway noted, the changing demographics of the veterinary profession in New Zealand make tools like the Soletech Dehorner even more essential.
Exciting Plans for 2025
Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to announce that development is already underway for a new fetotomy attachment. This add-on will work seamlessly with the Soletech Dehorner while also being functional as a standalone tool. We’ve heard from many of you that such a tool would be invaluable in your practice, and we’re committed to bringing it to life as quickly as possible.
We know the current economy isn’t exactly hoofing along (it’s tighter than a cow in a headbale!), but every purchase of a Soletech Dehorner helps us accelerate the development of this exciting new attachment. Your support means we can invest back into the business and bring innovative tools to market faster.
Thank You for a Great Year
Thank you for being part of our journey in 2024. Whether you’ve purchased a dehorner, shared your feedback, or simply cheered us on, you’ve made a difference. Here’s to 2025—a year of progress, innovation, and collaboration. If you’d like to learn more about the Soletech Dehorner or our upcoming fetotomy attachment, feel free to reach out or visit https://www.soletech.co.nz/