Hands-On Reliability: Using the Simcro VS Injector at South Farm

South Farm, located in Hallington, Northumberland, is a mixed enterprise managed by Steven Lawson. The farm runs a pedigree herd of Angus cattle alongside a growing sheep operation, with 1,600 ewes sent to the tup this year. The mixed flock includes Texels and Lleyns, bred to produce quality lambs suited to the farm’s forage-based system.

Steven, who grew up on the family farm, entered into partnership with his father in 2002. As a former AHDB Strategic Monitor Farm, South Farm benefited from the programme by focusing on improving grazing quality and quantity throughout the year. Steven aimed to maximise kg/acre sales through efficient grassland use, with the enterprise now largely relying on forage. The flock is now mostly closed, with replacement Lleyn x Texel ewes bred on-farm and crossed to a terminal Texel sire.

During a recent visit to South Farm, we spoke with Steven about his experience using the Simcro VS Injector, a fixed-dose vaccinator featuring full needle protection and innovative vertical, interchangeable chambers. We discussed the practical benefits it brings to his livestock operation.

Steven shared the key benefits he’s noticed since switching to the VS Injector

“We have found the Simcro VS injector a very accurate, balanced and safer device, and what I particularly like is the reduced hand span and less fatigue as a result. The biggest win though for me is the tactile feedback in other words, you know each time you have administered the vaccination because you fully depress the handle each shot, even when giving lower volume doses. You know, by sufficient movement in the hand when injecting, that treatment has been successful. Some devices, when dialled down to lower doses, you do not feel if/when the shot has been successful – never the case with a VS gun! Easy to clean and lube too, by the way.

The fixed-dose interchangeable chambers make 1ml, 2ml or 5ml treatment easy and accurate. There are also 0.5ml chambers too, so we will be reaching for the VS for SMARTShot later in the season as we are a little low on B12/Cobalt and find lambs do much better as a result”

Tactile Feedback Matters!

While dosing and vaccinating Lleyn x ewe lamb replacements prior to scanning at South Farm in Northumberland, Steven Lawson used the Simcro VS injector equipped with full needle guard protection and interchangeable fixed-dose chambers. This system offers enhanced accuracy, simplicity, and safety during routine livestock treatments.

One of the major additional benefits of the VS is the Tactile Feedback which you get with every injection. In other words, you feel and know you have correctly administered even a small volume dose correctly as you get full trigger movement regardless of the dosage amount delivered.

For lower-dosage vaccinations, such as 0.5ml for SmartShot, 1ml for Footvax or 2ml for clostridial vaccines, this feature can be especially significant. It becomes slightly less critical with the higher dosage, as you can feel and see a larger amount of trigger movement. Simply put, many devices do not offer this level feedback across all dosage level.

Conclusion: Practical Benefits That Make a Measurable Difference

At South Farm, Steven Lawson has found the Simcro VS Injector to be a valuable addition to his livestock management toolkit. From vaccinating a growing flock of 1,600 ewes to managing replacement Lleyn x Texel lambs, the VS has proven itself in day-to-day use.

With a farm focused on efficiency, welfare, and performance, the Simcro VS has delivered both practical and ergonomic advantages. It’s a tool that not only supports accurate dosing but also enhances the confidence and effectiveness of the stockperson using it.