Blogs from Hanns Bergs

10 Lucky Survey Winners announced

hbergs@smartvet.com (Hanns Bergs) — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 07:01:00 +0000

The 10 lucky winners randomly drawn from respondents to our recent Market Survey are:

Brock Elsen (NE); Dawn Dugan (SD); Harold Bean (TX); Jim Campbell (MO); Justin Vaughn (MO); Mark Baumhoer (MO); Nancy Lind (TX); Robert Gorzell (TX); Stefanie Wildhaber (MO) and Warren Field (AL) .

Winners get to choose from a $500 Cabela's Gift Card or a VetGun3 Kit (includes VetGun3; gunbag; AiM-A; AiM-L; gas and a baseball cap).

CONGRATULATIONS to all and a special thanks to all those who responded to our survey - your feedback is invaluable in helping identify market needs and continuously improving our products and our product range.

New VetGun3 launched

hbergs@smartvet.com (Hanns Bergs) — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 06:58:00 +0000

SmartVet is pleased to announce the launch of the new VetGun3. Replacing the earlier VetGun2, the new VetGun3 the next generation in precision remote insecticide delivery.

• Lighter and more compact.• Military grade robust materials.• Foregrip rail provision.• Future technology enabled.

Recommended retail price of $249, including 25g and 90g CO2 cartridge adaptors.

SmartVet launches AiM-A Abamectin VetCaps

hbergs@smartvet.com (Hanns Bergs) — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 15:46:17 +0000

SmartVet bolsters its innovative VetGun Delivery Platform with the addition of AiM-A Abamectin VetCaps for cattle -a disruptive new tool that now facilitates in-season rotation to combat horn fly resistance.

Olathe, Kansas (May 11, 2017)

SmartVet, and its distribution partner AgriLabs, are pleased to announce the regulatory approval and launch of AiM-A Abamectin VetCaps, a new VetCap insecticide for use with the VetGun Delivery System for cattle.

SmartVet is again disrupting the market by developing a first-in-class program for the rotation of two different modes of activity within the same parasite season. By color coding its VetCaps, SmartVet has made the rotation process simple and intuitive. The proven convenience of the VetGun enables a rancher to dose an entire herd out at pasture - no need for extra labor or handling facilities. Simplifying delivery means ranchers can now use insecticides only when parasites are causing them economic damage.

Effective chemical rotation within the same season

By minimizing the time horn flies are exposed to an insecticide, and rotating chemical classes in the same season, we decrease the opportunity for pesticide resistance factor to build up in population of these harmful parasites. The VetGun has just raised the bar in the fight against parasite resistance!

Introducing AiM-A Abamectin

VetGun is the proven easy-to-use, precision-dosage delivery system for treating parasites on cattle. VetCaps are now available in two different modes-of-action – for optimum parasite control. The new AiM-A VetCap (Abamectin) is a significant addition to the VetGun delivery platform, offering cattlemen yet another tool to efficiently and effectively control parasites on cattle. Abamectin is a topically-applied Macrocyclic Lactone (ML) in the same avermectin family as the well established ivermectin and eprinomectin molecules.

AiM-A will be available through AgriLabs’ national distribution network late May.

Disrupting the market with effective IN-SEASON rotation and precision medicine to help combat horn fly resistance

When used in rotation with the existing AiM-L VetCap (Lambda Cyhalothrin), a Synthetic Pyrethroid, it delivers a 1-2 punch of two different modes of action. With the introduction of AiM-A Abamectin, cattle producers now have the ability to provided correctly-timed, precision-delivered horn fly control with the rotational use of two potent insecticides in the same season. With VetGun and the AiM family of products, horn fly control is, for the first time, easily, conveniently and cost-effectively delivered while doing so in a way that works to overcome resistance.

Because of VetGun's accuracy, producers could apply a more precise dose of insecticide to each animal, than can be achieved with self-dosing, non-confined methods such as back rubber and dust bags. In addition application can occur at the best possible time for a particular treatment. This means cattle are not overexposed or underexposed to parasiticides, applying the principles of precision medicine to the animal health industry.

Getting a 1-2 punch on horn flies – AND controlling lice

The following is a sample rotation schedule of how AiM-L and AiM-A VetCaps could be used for control of both horn fly and lice within the same season and year.

Effective and proven control

The effectiveness of AiM-A Abamectin against horn flies is proven. In an independent field trial¹, AiM-A VetCaps were applied to test cattle with significant horn fly burdens. AiM-A provided knock down and control of horn flies and remained 95% effective in control of flies through four weeks.

¹ Efficacy Comparison in Central Texas, July 13, 2016

The economic benefits to the industry and cattle producers alike.

The leading cause of economic loss in the cattle industry is parasites, particularly horn flies. Overall, horn flies cost the U.S. cattle industry nearly $1 billion per year. Horn flies can interrupt cattle from grazing and cause a loss of as much as one pint of blood per day, which can result in 30% less weight gain in just 80 days. Conservatively, if not treated effectively, this can cost a producer $68/head income loss.

Proven customer satisfaction and market potential

In a recent annual VetGun Survey² of 500 VetGun customers, not only did the VetGun Delivery System receive a 94% customer satisfaction rating, but 99% found it convenient to use. Furthermore, 95% indicated purchase intent if an additional VetGun Horn Fly Treatment Chemical Class product was introduced that, when used in rotation with the existing AiM-L VetCap product, would help combat horn fly resistance.

²2016 VetGun Customer Satisfaction Tracking Survey_Dec2016

SmartVet continues to bring its pipeline of products to life, and is excited about continuing to bring innovative new products to the market every year.

SmartVet Innovation Award

hbergs@smartvet.com (Hanns Bergs) — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 04:49:50 +0000

On 9 April 2015, SmartVet was honored as one of Kansas City’s most innovative companies in the inaugural class of Kansas State University’s Ingenuity Central.

SmartVet Directors: Tim Rose; Glen Richards; Grant Pickering; Grant Weyer; Randall Tosh; John Lawlor (Alternate Director)Ingenuity Central is a hub connecting the most inventive ideas, technologies and processes across diverse industries -recognizing leading-edge ideas from a dynamic intersection of sectors across Johnson County and the greater Kansas City metro area. On hand to accept the award was Randall Tosh, Executive VP of SmartVet: "We are thrilled at being recognized as a leading innovator in animal health. Listening to and working with cattle producers, our VetGun Insecticide Delivery System has taken years of painstaking development. Working with our distribution partners AgriLabs, VetGun was successfully launched in Feb 2014. We now have thousands of VetGuns in the hands of cattle ranchers across the U.S. and an exciting pipeline of new internal and external parasite control products in the regulatory process." SmartVet's US headquarters are based at the state-of-the-art International Animal Health and Food Safety Institute in Olathe's new Bioscience Precinct, Kansas.

Parasite Management Articles

hbergs@smartvet.com (Hanns Bergs) — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 23:19:20 +0000

Several key articles from Bovine Veterinarian on why parasites affect performance; and importance of parasite control prior vaccination:

1. Vaccination and Parasite Control - by Bovine Veterinarian (jan 17, 2011) -click here

2. How and why parasites affect performance - by Bovine Veterninarian (Sept 2, 2014) -click here

3. Effective Parasite Treatment & Monitoring - by Bovine Veterinarian (Feb 13, 2015) -click here

SmartVet successfully closes $5 million private placement investment round.

hbergs@smartvet.com (Hanns Bergs) — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 06:21:09 +0000

Olathe, Kansas (Nov 26, 2014) - As part of its ongoing growth and continued expansion; SmartVet announces the recent successful closure of a US $5 million private placement investment round. The funds will be used for ongoing research and development in order to commercialize and bring to market additional products in the SmartVet product pipeline.

VetGun delivery platform
In February 2014, SmartVet, in partnership with AgriLabs Ltd. launched the VetGun™ Delivery System, an innovative new way to treat cattle parasites in the pasture, without needing to handle them.

"The response to the national launch was overwhelming," said Randall Tosh, the firm's Vice President of Business Development. "The company was established by producers and exists for producers. We recently surveyed 500 cattle producers and 94% said they were satisfied with the product and would recommend it to others. They're eager for us to bring new products to market.

Product pipeline
SmartVet is currently in discussions with the US Food and Drug Administration and the US Environmental Protection Agency concerning additions to the company's product portfolio. Mr Tosh said the firm is currently working on three new parasiticide products, inspired by the suggestions of producers.

Dr Shane Brookshire, President of North and Latin American operations, adds: "We're focused on thinking more broadly than standard products and delivery techniques," he said. "This is a disruptive technology that meets a need and has a huge economic significance. We are absolutely more than just the VetGun."

Looking to the future
Dr. Brookshire said the firm has a strong core management team in place, giving SmartVet a stage for growth. In the near term, SmartVet will focus on building its presence in the market for ectoparasiticide drug delivery in the US. The next stage of the company's development will be to begin breaking into the endoparasiticide delivery sector. Then, further in the future, SmartVet hopes to begin investigating other transdermal molecules.

VetGun and VetCaps are distributed by AgriLabs. Call 1-800 542 8916 or visit www.agrilabs.com

Inquiries:
SmartVet +1 913 307 7376

Dr Shane Brookshire, SmartVet Chief Commercial Officer, appointed as new President, SmartVet Holdings Inc.

hbergs@smartvet.com (Hanns Bergs) — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 10:12:33 +0000

As part of its ongoing growth and continued expansion of its management team, SmartVet announces that Dr. Shane Brookshire will be taking the helm of SmartVet Holding Inc. current operations with immediate effect as the President of North and Latin American operations.

Dr Brookshire is a highly experienced senior animal health executive. He previously led the US Ruminant and Equine Sales team at the world’s third largest animal health company Merial. Prior to this he ran Merial’s Veterinary Public Health business unit. Shane brings a unique combination of both private company and public sector experience, having previously been the Commercial Director of private equity backed Anitox as well as serving as the State Veterinarian and Director of the Division of Animal Health for the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Shane graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri and continues to be active in a cattle operation in Missouri.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of an innovative and hard-working organization and lead the growth of this business to the next level.” says Shane. ”I’m very excited to be able to deliver some of the most innovative technology the cattle industry has seen in decades.”

“We congratulate Shane on the impact he has already made during his short time with us, and we look forward to many fruitful years working together with Shane. “ adds SmartVet Chairman, Grant Weyer.

SmartVet appoints Aratana Therapeutic’s Louise Mawhinney as new CFO.

hbergs@smartvet.com (Hanns Bergs) — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 12:00:00 +0000

Olathe, Kansas (July 1, 2014)

As part of its ongoing growth and continued expansion of its management team, SmartVet has appointed Louise Mawhinney as its new CFO.

Louise has over 16 years’ experience as a Chief Financial Officer, the last 10 of which have been in life sciences. She was most recently the CFO of Aratana Therapeutics, a pet therapeutics company, where she was instrumental in its IPO – the “Most Successful IPO of 2013” according to Bloomberg. Prior to that, Louise was CFO of Ikonisys, a cell-based diagnostics company and Helicos BioSciences, a genetic analysis technology company where she led the 2007 IPO. Louise was also CFO for ArQule, an oncology therapeutics company, eSpendwise, a provider of global eBusiness systems, and The Butcher Company, a chemical manufacturing company. Prior to that, she was Group Controller at Lifetime Corporation; and a Senior Tax Specialist at KPMG in Boston. Louise holds a Masters Degree from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and has been a CPA in Massachusetts since 1989.

SmartVet hosts Beef101 Day

hbergs@smartvet.com (Hanns Bergs) — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 11:19:13 +0000

On Thursday June 19, 2014, SmartVet hosted a number of east coast delegates to an insightful; informative and educational industry Beef101 Day in the heart of U.S. cattle country. The morning was spent at SmartVet's Olathe Kansas headoffice listening to leading industry experts - an overview of the Beef Cattle Production Industry; how it operates; animal health-care; parasite management; and economic sustainability with China gearing up to become one of the leading importers of the world's beef supply. Thereafter delegates boarded a bus and were taken on a tour of a professionally operated Kansas Cattle Ranch where a lot of the morning's theory was then seen in real life; including live cattle herding; yarding and running through the headgate for demonstration of traditional parasite treatments. Then it was all aboard the ATV's and into the pasture where SmartVet's new VetGun Delivery System was demonstrated with 1 person treating up to 20 head of cattle in as little as 15 minutes. The highlight of the day for many delegates was seeing who was the best shot as they each fired off several VetGun rounds at a dummy cow target, complete with real cow hide.

Download the Delegate Pack and Speaker powerpoint presentations, click here: Beef101 Day (June 19, 2014)

View full-length video of days proceedings (3h 50 mins): click here

View editted version of days proceedings (58 mins): click here

Download Investment Bank Reports: BofA report on Beef 101 day.pdf Guggenheim - Beef 101 report.pdf Guggenheim Research-cattle industry.pdf

Inquiries: SmartVet +1 913-307-7376

Industry Media flock to VetGun Launch

hbergs@smartvet.com (Hanns Bergs) — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 09:56:00 +0000

The VetGun national launch at the 2014 NCBA (Feb 3-7, Nashville) attracted thousands of attendees across its 2 booths, with many trying out the VetGun Delivery System in a VetGun Shooting Tunnel, complete with cow-hide target to simulate a live dosage situation in the pasture.

And so too did the industry media notice this innovative new technology, with no less than 18 media interviews and demonstrations given across the 3 days of the convention.

Herewith just a few of the interviews and demonstrations:

1. RFD-TV Interview: click here

2. NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen: click here

3. AgDay Interview: click here

4. NorthernAg.NET Interview: click here

5. Brownfield Ag News Interview: click here

BREAKING NEWS: SmartVet and AgriLabs partner-up to launch first-of-its-kind VetGun at NCBA Feb 2014

hbergs@smartvet.com (Hanns Bergs) — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 02:10:00 +0000

Olathe, Kansas (Feb 4, 2014) — Leveraging the success of a 2013 market test, SmartVet USA,Inc. and AgriLabs,Ltd have formed a long-term partnership to launch the first-ever VetGun™ delivery system to effectively treat horn flies and lice in cattle. The revolutionary new delivery system will be available across the U.S. in early 2014.

Click (here) or image on right for RFDTV News Feature

Next Generation of Horn Fly Control

The VetGun uses precision-engineered CO2 power to project a precise dosage of AiM-L™ VetCap to treat the animal. Each VetCap contains an EPA-approved insecticide in a soft gel capsule which can be fired from a safe distance of 20 to 30 feet while cattle graze or feed. The VetCap fragments upon impact allowing the topically applied insecticide to go to work immediately similar to that of pour-on applications.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Dr Thomas Monath (Harvard School of Public Health) joins SmartVet Advisory Board and heads up Transdermal Vaccine Project.

hbergs@smartvet.com (Hanns Bergs) — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 07:37:00 +0000

SmartVet is glad to formally announce that Dr Thomas Monath, Adjunct Professor Harvard School of Public Health, has now joined the SmartVet team. Dr Monath will oversee SmartVet's Transdermal Vaccine Project and help direct research efforts toward the most efficient way of achieving successful transdermal immunization using a similar variation of the existing VetGun Delivery System.

Dr. Thomas P. Monath is a physician and Adjunct Professor (Emeritus), Harvard School of Public Health. He has substantial bioscience investment experience as an ex-partner in the Pandemic and Biodefense Fund, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers.

NEWS RELEASE: Animal Pharm live-test new VetGun (Sept 16, 2013)

hbergs@smartvet.com (Hanns Bergs) — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 04:44:05 +0000

Joseph Harvey of Animal Pharm recently undertook a live VetGun demonstration in Johnson County, Kansas. He wrote about his experience and published it online on the Animal Pharm website, as well as appearing as a 2-pager in the Animal Pharm printed publication.

Feel free to view the article and short video online here

https://www.agra-net.net/agra/animal-pharm/videos-and-podcasts/smartvet-s-vetgun-shoots-its-way-into-the-us-antiparasitic-market-129299.htm

or alternatively article below for your convenience.

SmartVet's VetGun shoots its way into the US antiparasitic market

By Joseph Harvey

Published Animal Pharm: 16 September 2013 01:42 PM

It is not often Animal Pharm gets to test a veterinary product on site. So when senior reporter Joseph Harvey was invited to test SmartVet's new VetGun antiparasitic delivery device on a humid and dusty beef cattle ranch in Johnson County, Kansas, he jumped at the chance.

WEBINAR VIDEO: Managing Resistance in Beef Cattle

hbergs@smartvet.com (Hanns Bergs) — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 06:37:35 +0000

Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine & SmartVet present a 60 minute webinar video with Drs. Dan Thomson; Robert Rew and Adalberto Perez de Leon. Hear from the experts on the latest challenges and treatments for endo and ecto parasite management.

Click here to see video

NEWS RELEASE: Revolutionary new insecticide delivery system set to change future of animal dosing.

hbergs@smartvet.com (Hanns Bergs) — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 06:15:31 +0000

SmartVet, a leading international innovator in animal healthcare, has announced the launch of a revolutionary new delivery system, set to change the landscape of parasite management in cattle. Using best practice methods, a rancher working alone can dose up to 100 cattle per hour.

The VetGun is the only dosing system not requiring animal handling; herding; yarding; or running cattle through the chute. It allows dosing to take place in the field from a safe distance, thereby reducing stress and the chance of injuries to cattle and ranchers alike.

VetGun is a precision-engineered CO2-powered application device that delivers a new dosage form called a VetCap. The VetCap is a purpose developed gelatine capsule filled with a specialized pour-on developed by SmartVet for remote delivery using the VetGun. The VetCaps are fired from the VetGun and specially designed to fragment upon impact, taking almost instantaneous effect at relieving a horn fly burden. The first VetCaps commercially available are the AiM (Advanced Insecticide Management) line of products . AiM-L®, (Lambda Cyhalothrin with Piperonyl Butoxide) has been developed for control of horn flies, face flies, biting lice and sucking lice on beef cattle.

“VetGun is so quick, simple and effective that one person working alone can treat an entire herd in the field, resulting in major savings of labor; time and money. Not only does it allow for convenient timing of insecticide application to deliver maximum parasite control, it also allows for precise dosage control,” said Randall Tosh, SmartVet’s Vice President of Business Development. He continued, “It also reduces animal stress which in turn leads to improved feed conversion efficiencies, weight gain, overall health and productivity which add to the producers’ profitability. VetGun can even substantially contribute to alleviating horn fly resistance.”
The VetGun Delivery System is being lauded by industry specialists such as RFD TV DocTalk’s Dr. Dan Thompson,DVM Professor of Clinical Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Director of the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University. Launched in June 2013, VetGun and the AiM-L VetCaps will only be available in select states until national rollout is completed in 2014. To see the VetGun in action, view the video demonstration at www.smartvet.com
VetGun and VetCaps were developed by SmartVet, leading innovators in large animal healthcare. Based in Olathe Kansas, SmartVet was co-founded by a fourth generation cattle rancher and specializes in finding simple, logical solutions to everyday animal health challenges.
For more information or demonstration video, visit www.smartvet.com or call +1 913 307 7376

VtGun and VetCaps are distributed by AgriLabs. Call 1-800 542 8916 or visit www.agrilabs.com