Taranaki Dairy Farmers

Taranaki couple Kelvin Buckthought and Natasha Blanchard decided to give Nutritech’s Springer Cow Meal™ a go after struggling with chronic milk fever in their 290 cow herd.

Over an average spring, Kelvin and Natasha were losing about 12-15 cows as a direct result of milk fever.  “We got to a stage where we were just pulling our hair out with frustration.  We were doing everything right, (Kelvin believes he has to feed his cows for 12 months of the year to get the best out of them.) but we were still losing good cows.”

Kelvin and Natasha, constructed a feed pad three years ago to take the ups and downs out of each season.  “We’ve spent a lot of time selectively breeding cows to suit our system and in doing so we’ve placed a lot of emphasis on longevity, so it’s really disappointing to see a good cow family leave the herd prematurely.

Kelvin and Natasha decided to look into the use of anionic salts as a way to help prevent milk fever.  “We used Nutritech’s Springer Cow Meal™ because we had heard good things about it from other farmers in the region.”

Kelvin fed the Springer Cow Meal™ to the springers 4-5 weeks prior to calving.  “They couldn’t get enough of it.  In fact it got to the point were they would chase the bike to get at it.”

Kelvin and Natasha still bought their usual 2 dozen of calcium borogluconate, but say they have only used 3 bottles this season and lost just three cows from milk fever.  “The cows look great and we’re not getting the problems associated with sub clinical milk fever either – like retained placentas and returns.”  “It’s not a miracle worker, but it has saved us a hell of a lot of time and money!”