Broader feed choice for the new season

From this winter farmers have more animal feed choice than ever before, now that Farmlands has bought animal nutrition manufacturer SealesWinslow.

Craig Gregory

Mystery Creek Fieldays marked the official kick off date for the new alliance, which will see SealesWinslow retain its name while offering a broader range of feed options.

Grant Jackson, general manager of SealesWinslow, welcomes the opportunities the Farmlands purchase brings, with multiple benefits to farmers across the length of the country.

“SealesWinslow has been known mainly for its quality compound or pelletised feeds. Farmlands ownership means our team can now include commodity blend solutions alongside our pelletised options.”

He says the full national coverage lifts the number of feed mills under the one umbrella from three to eight, now extending from Whangarei to Winton, matched by a nutrition team set to double in size with the SealesWinslow purchase.

Bunnythorpe sharemilker Craig Gregory is among the first to enjoy the benefits of combining SealesWinslow’s quality pelletised feed with a bulk feed option.

He runs a System 5 high input operation for his 330 Holstein Friesian herd and has tuned up their feed regime in the past year, working alongside his SealesWinslow nutrition rep Peta Hamilton.

“We have opted for the Value Dairy pellet as 50% of the feed, and the other 50% is bulk palm kernel expeller. The mix means we avoid any blockages in our in-shed feeding system.

“It gives the herd that extra production push—it’s really the difference between feeding them and fully feeding them.”

He says being able to include PKE alongside the pellets also makes them a more affordable option, whilst still delivering valued nutrient benefit.

He feeds three to five kilograms per cow a day during lactation and the blend forms part of a feed regime that includes maize and grass silage in addition.

“For us the in-shed system is a good poor man’s feed pad. The concrete is already all there, the cows are there twice a day, it’s an affordable, efficient means of delivery during milking.”

He compares this to previous efforts feeding PKE from portable feed troughs in the paddock.

“We got sick of the waste and the mud, and trying to get the troughs out of the mess every day.”

With PKE providing the bulk, the pellets are also a good method for delivering the minerals his high performing herd need.

“It is a lot cheaper to be giving them a little often of the right minerals than trying to correct a deficit.”

He also appreciates the ‘no surprises’ aspect of having his feed costs contracted and locked in at the start of the season.

“And Peta our SealesWinslow rep is great to work with. She takes a very hands-on approach and has been prepared to work with me on the various options I have wanted to trial before arriving at this, it’s an enjoyable relationship.”

Grant Jackson says farmers can now enjoy the best of both worlds through SealesWinslow’s feed offerings, giving their herds high quality pelletised feed, alongside higher volume, cost effective bulk feed.

“More farmers are starting to realise it is not just about giving their cows more of one feed but want to achieve better productivity with a lighter environmental footprint, optimising their feed options.

“With strong payout prospects, the timing has never been better to consider those optimal feed options and avoid leaving production on the table.”