“Using Sprayfo didn’t cost us anymore... I think that’s because I was growing quality lambs – we had no vet bills, no issues in the shed.”
One season rearing lambs with AgriVantage products, and Claire Walton is the biggest advocate for the range of science-based products.
Claire and her husband Chris are equity partners in Aranui Farming near Te Awamutu, supplying sheep milk to Maui Milk. Milking 1,500 sheep, they rear approximately 2,000 lambs – a mix of wether and ewe lambs. 2024 will be their fourth season.
Claire describes 2022 as a very tough rearing experience.
“We had a bad case of bloat go through the flock, and we lost about 100 lambs at three to four weeks old” she explained.
“By then, we had spent a lot of money rearing them. Lots of those dead lambs were female too, so an even bigger loss for us as a dairy operation. The whole experience took a huge emotional toll.”
Once the rearing season was over, Claire did her research. She asked around, she searched the internet, and she came across AgriVantage.
“The AgriVantage website had some good information on casein and whey milk replacers,” said Claire. “Intending to switch milk replacers, I reached out to the AgriVantage team.
“Straight away, I realised there was expertise and support behind these products. I was reassured that I’d be well supported through the rearing season.”
The AgriVantage rep came on farm and looked at the whole system, talking Chris and Claire through best practice lamb rearing principles.
They were advised to brix test cow’s colostrum (which they were using for the lambs) and use Launchpad18 to fortify that colostrum if necessary.
“I wasn’t initially sold on Launchpad18” admits Claire. “I thought I was being sold something that wasn’t necessary.
“However, I did brix test a couple of times and found our bovine colostrum to be 2-3% below par. I then used Launchpad18 with a few lambs and was amazed at their response – they were literally up and bleating in a couple of hours.
“As a result, Launchpad18 is now a key part of our rearing kit. I’ll even use it on lambs that look a bit ‘off’, it’s a life saver.”
For biosecurity in the shed (bacterial loading being a possible cause of bloat), they were advised to use Stalosan F.
Finally, the milk replacer was changed to Sprayfo: Sprayfo Alpha casein-based milk replacer for the first 10 days and then Sprayfo Primo whey-based milk replacer.
Sprayfo Alpha, being casein-based, is ideal as a starter feed. Sprayfo Primo whey-based product is a great finisher; quickly digested, it helps to boost rumen development in the lambs, nullifying the typical growth check at weaning. Uniquely spray-dried, both products are designed to be optimally digestible for lambs, reducing the risk of bloat.
Adlib feeding, Sprayfo fitted easily into the Aranui system
The switch from Sprayfo Alpha to Sprayfo Primo was a straight switch, with no need for a transitional change.
“I felt the lambs grew slower on Sprayfo to start with (compared to previous seasons)” observed Claire. “However, we didn’t lose a single lamb to bloat. And, come weaning, they held their condition very well.”
Claire’s lambs are weaned at 18kg.
“Using Sprayfo didn’t cost us anymore than we’d paid in previous seasons” she notes. “I think that’s because I was growing quality lambs – we had no vet bills, no issues in the shed. A higher survival rate is obviously a lot more cost-effective.”
Stalosan F was a winner too. “I like Stalosan F, it’s easy to see where it’s been applied,” said Claire.
“We previously just used a spray disinfectant, and I hadn’t even thought about the fact that we were adding more moisture into the bedding.
“In 2023, we had no disease outbreaks in the shed.”
Having been fearful going into the 2023 season, the AgriVantage experience has given her plenty of confidence going forward.
“I totally recommend AgriVantage. I believe in their product range – the proof is in the pudding. I also feel I can reach out to this team about anything, no question is a dumb one when you’re working to rear quality animals.”
Products used by Claire Walton
Sprayfo Alpha
Sprayfo Primo
Launchpad18
