With the objective of growing her calves as efficiently as possible, dairy farmer Trish Rankin has changed from feeding whole milk only, to working to a nutrition plan that incorporated calf milk replacer. The benefits have both pleased and surprised her. She and husband Glen own Rankill Downs at Oaonui, Opunake. Milking 300 cows, the […]

Be aware and be proactive in adopting practical biosecurity measures when dealing with birds or poultry: these are things we can all do to help stop the spread of Avian Influenza in New Zealand. Limit contact with wild birds as much as possible: Wild birds are known carriers of AI and other diseases which can […]

The detection of Avian Influenza H7N6 strain marks a turning point for New Zealand’s poultry industry. While not as severe as the high-pathogenic H5N1 strain, the presence of avian flu in the country underlines the urgent need for poultry producers-whether small-scale farmers or large commercial operators-to strengthen their biosecurity practices. Avian Influenza (AI) is a […]

“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 […]

Have you ever felt like you keep doing all the things you’re supposed to when it comes to rearing calves but there’s little change to your production levels or farm profitability? Of course, rearing calves is just like any other kind of animal agriculture: “We’re managing biology for profit.” So, how can we manage calf […]

Feeding calves more for earlier growth and development is better for lifetime productivity; that’s what Sam and Jo Spencer-Bower both learned and experienced by working with AgriVantage for the 2023 season. “We were referred to AgriVantage for their calf rearing expertise,” said Sam. “And it’s been a game changer. We implemented everything they recommended to […]

There’s a common misconception that calves should receive colostrum from their own mother (dam) or herd to ensure protection against any pathogens present on the farm where they were born. The fact is that high quality, whole, colostrum replacers will provide protection from diseases (anywhere in the world) and should be considered in any colostrum […]

12 months ago, Sonia Waddell trialled Stalosan® F in her horse truck. Today she sells it through her business, The Stable Door Equine, and counts racing stables amongst her biggest advocates for the product. The Stable Door Equine is in Ashburton, Mid-Canterbury. They stock and sell a range of quality equine products. The Waddell family […]

Roger Russell was a firm believer that whey milk replacer was an inferior product, and he wasn’t prepared to feed it to his calves – until he experienced first-hand the significant difference in the condition of his calves within days of switching to Sprayfo Blue calf milk replacer. Roger owns a bull farm at Ruawaro, […]

Simon is a Sheep & Beef farmer located near Huntly. He talks about how he uses Sprayfo Delta and Sprayfo Blue calf milk replacers – and how his experience with the products, and resulting calf performance, has entirely changed his perception about feeding whey milk replacer to calves.

Profitable dairy herds are built on a foundation of continuous improvement in efficiency and output.  Cows which produce more milk per kilogram of feed consumed will inevitably be more profitable than less efficient animals. Similarly, herds which have a lower replacement rate are more profitable than herds with a higher replacement rate because rearing replacement […]

Julie Wyatt has run a beef finishing unit for 15 years in Oxford, Canterbury. Buying in weaned calves, she fattens them until they are 18 months to 2 years old. A meticulous keeper of records year after year, Julie has noticed an exponential increase in growth rates in her 2022 calves. The only difference is […]

Using Sprayfo Delta and Blue calf milk replacers for the first time in 2022, Wendy Williams believes she’s reared her best calves ever. “For me, consistency is key. I know we are getting a much better product in Sprayfo.” For calf rearer Wendy Williams, consistency (in a milk replacer) is everything. After one season with […]

Minimising the moisture content of bedding in animal housing is important because increased moisture allows for increased microbial activity and potentially harmful levels of pathogens. Dry bedding also encourages resting – helping to support animal health, welfare and productivity. Cheap and readily available, limestone is often used to reduce moisture in animal bedding. However, the […]

In addition to Immunoglobulin G (IgG)*, which is essential for immunity and survival, whole colostrum provides antimicrobial factors, a range of hormones, growth factors, nutrients and even immune cells. Antimicrobial factors and immune cells from cows’ help protect the calf against disease and play an important role in supporting the immune system of the calf¹. […]

Manawatu beef and sheep farmers, Vaughan and Caro Shannon made the change to Sprayfo in 2018, following a particularly harrowing season where they lost several lambs to bloat. They have since added Launchpad18 colostrum powder and are seeing great results. The Shannons run a pure Coopworth flock and are currently in their first season on […]

Tarsh introduced adlib feeding in 2022, using the Heatwave system. Two adlib feeders were supplemented by the blue bucket feeders while the lambs transitioned over. Tarsh Newport rears 40-50 orphan lambs annually on Dewes Farm in the South Island. The Newport’s run a large commercial sheep flock (mostly Romney), some beef cattle and a Dorset […]

“Stalosan F is not overly expensive for what it does” says Calving Manager Nicole Woodford. She’s used the product in her calf sheds since 2014. Read more > For farmers managing herd homes or rearing lambs, calves, and goat kids, it’s important to provide an environment that protects the animal’s skin – which is their […]

We know that the consumption of high-quality colostrum as soon as possible after birth is imperative for the survival of the lamb and helps ensure optimal health and development. We also know that the immunoglobulin G (IgG) content of colostrum is the component essential for immunity. Unfortunately, there’s limited information available on the IgG content […]

Another rearer who swears by Sprayfo lamb milk replacers is Jo Hay. Since she made the switch, she hasn’t lost a single lamb to abomasal bloat. Jo and Ross Hay own Springbank Farm at Herbert in North Otago. On 700ha, they have 2,850 breeding ewes – rearing their own replacements and lamb hoggets. They also […]

Lambs are tagged to indicate how much colostrum they have received. On Blackfern Farms, approximately 20-40 orphan lambs are hand-reared each year. A mix of abandoned lambs, twins, and triplets. Launchpad18™ colostrum powder, Sprayfo lamb milk replacer, and a super-star neighbour are Angela and Adrian Dempster’s keys to success. 2021 being her third season rearing […]

2021 Sprayfo reared calves grazing down one of the calf paddocks before new calves arrive, July 2022 Based on successfully rearing lambs with Sprayfo, Emma Williamson and her mum Kim switched to using Sprayfo calf milk replacers to rear 50 beef calves’ last spring. Emma says the results were so impressive that she will happily […]

Providing a newborn calf, lamb or kid with colostrum within 12 hours of birth is vital, we know that. And if maternal colostrum is unavailable or poor quality, a colostrum replacer can provide an essential alternative. So, how do you select a good colostrum replacer? Price is always a factor but remember that a product […]

Jenna and daughter Keira with a healthy Sprayfo reared calf. Going from a purely whole milk calf rearing system to feeding calf milk replacer (CMR) has been a positive experience for dairy farmer Jenna McLeod. She says CMR is not only more cost-effective, but the calves grow better: they reach target weights quickly and transition […]

How do you choose the most suitable product for your goat kids, to realise their genetic potential and get the best return on investment? Quite simply, buy the best milk replacer you can afford. You get what you pay for. You are rearing valuable animals so it’s worth spending a little more for a higher […]

Taking advantage of science and innovation. That’s what should take calf feeding programmes away from a singular focus on cost-savings to being much more future focused; the gains from giving calves the best start in life will pay off in better productivity and lifetime performance. Formerly Territory Manager for CRV, AgriVantage South Island Business Manager […]

Achieving consistently good results year on year is Rebecca (Becs) Mahoney’s key driver. Currently rearing 2,500 ewe replacements within 6,000 sqm shedding, she and her father Neal have established a fine-tuned system; one founded on trusted products and reliable service. “To achieve what we do, we need to be able to trust the system” says […]

Rosemarie weaned her Sprayfo Blue calves off milk 10-12 days earlier because they were at their target weight so much quicker than in previous years. After rearing calves on cow’s milk for 20 years, in 2021 Rosemarie Costar did things a bit differently. She reared 220 calves with Sprayfo Blue calf milk replacer. Based on […]

Given the relatively new practice of rearing orphan lambs compared to the artificial rearing of calves, we are still developing our understanding how the composition of a lamb milk replacer can affect digestibility, energy availability and growth rates. Extensive research carried out in the field of calf nutrition for over 100 years (Kertz et al., […]

After one and a half seasons with AgriVantage and Sprayfo milk replacers, Sheep and Beef Farmers Nolan and Rochelle Jennings are big advocates of both brands. Based on their positive experience with the lamb milk replacer, they have switched to Sprayfo calf milk replacer this year too. The Jennings are located at Otara in southern […]

By adlib feeding with Sprayfo Delta and then Sprayfo Blue calf milk replacers, Dairy Farmer LeAnne Blakelock says she has reared better calves with fewer losses on the same amount of powder. At the tail-end of last season, LeAnne trialled Sprayfo Delta high fat CMR with her final mob of beef calves. At the time, […]

In horse stables, it’s important to control moisture – this is where flies and disease breed. Spread Stalosan® F at least once a week across the entire floor area, especially in wet, damp areas and along edges. Flies can cause more harm to your horse than discomfort. They spread diseases, can cause allergies and often […]

Why is it important to keep ammonia levels low in animal housing? Ammonia present in the air acts as an irritant to eyes and airways. Ammonia inhibits the action of hair-like cilia lining the trachea, potentially allowing pathogens to enter the lower respiratory tissues. This typically leads to respiratory infections such as pneumonia.   Where […]

Research from New Zealand and around the world has shown a strong positive relationship between average daily gain of dairy heifers prepuberty and subsequent lifetime milk production. There is also clear evidence that preweaning growth rates of heifers are key to optimal mammary tissue development. Feeding higher levels of a well-balanced diet to young heifers […]

Stalosan® F, AgriVantage’s germicide powder, kills bacteria, viruses, fungi, and in some instances, parasites and fly larvae by creating unfavourable growing conditions. The combination of dry ingredients absorbs water, neutralises ammonia and lowers pH to inhibit the growth of pathogens. Housed animals like pigs, orphan lambs, calves and goats, and poultry, are susceptible to many […]

Both research data and practical experience has clearly shown that the pre-weaning nutrition and subsequent development of young animals impacts lifetime performance. For dairy heifers, ewe lambs and doe kids, pre-weaning nutrition has a dramatic impact on lifetime milk production. Where animals are reared for meat production, faster growth rates mean animals make more efficient […]

Lynley in a nursery pen with 2-day-old lambs. These babies are checked 3-4 times daily. Lynley Wyeth rears 350-500 lambs annually. In her first few years she had consistent trouble with abomasal bloat. Yoghurtising milk was sometimes successful, but not always. Another challenge was weaning lambs from milk onto concentrates. Searching for a solution, Lynley […]

On the back of a very tough rearing season in 2020, Josh Jones’ calves averaged 72kg at 6-7 weeks. His vet remarked the calves “looked amazing” considering. Based just outside Gore, Josh owns Avon Park Farm. Here he rears 250 calves and 30 lambs annually. For two years, Josh has reared his calves with Sprayfo […]

The calves transitioned to Sprayfo Delta with no issues. Dairy farmer LeAnne Blakelock says she’s finally found a calf milk replacer (CMR) that has made calf rearing easy, the way it used to be. Based near Inglewood in the Taranaki, LeAnne and her partner Ian Powell milk 385 dairy cows and rear approximately 300 calves; […]

Experienced calf rearers Dellwyn and Sheree Malcolm are trialling the latest calf milk replacer (CMR) to hit the New Zealand market – Sprayfo Delta Energised Calf Milk. Despite a season plagued with challenging weather conditions, they are very pleased with the growth of their calves and expect to wean two weeks earlier than previous years.

Calving Manager Nicole Woodford is a strong advocate for AgriVantage’s Stalosan F. She has used it as the main biosecurity aid in rearing pens for the last 6 years. Nicole currently works at Ardno Farms Limited in Mossburn, Southland. She rears 500 replacement heifers, 100 Herefords to 100kg and 20 Friesian Bulls to 100kg. She […]

New Sprayfo Delta Energised Calf Milk from AgriVantage provides New Zealand farmers with a highly digestible curding milk replacer inspired by whole milk. It is designed to support rapid early growth rates and optimal organ development.

Southlander Therase Scott has reared lambs and calves for 14 years. In 2017 she introduced Sprayfo Primo Lamb milk replacer to her lambs - to stop abomasal bloat – and she hasn’t looked back.

Northland Dairy Farmer Paula Summers describes herself as “a hygiene freak” and says that Stalosan F is an “absolutely brilliant” drying agent and biosecurity aid in the rearing shed.

Article supplied by Natalie Chrystal, Nutrition Consultant to AgriVantage If you have been reading the rural press in recent weeks it’s likely you are scratching your head at some of the claims which have been made about whole or skim milk replacers in comparison to whey based milk replacers. You may also be feeling a […]

What if I told you that approximately 25% of calves don’t produce a curd, even when fed a curding milk replacer. Article supplied by Natalie Chrystal, Nutrition Consultant to AgriVantage Optimising the management and nutrition of calves on dairy farms is essential to the long-term productivity of every dairy herd. Realising the importance of calf […]

The McEwans Texel Stud is on 50 acres near Ashburton. Here they run 200 breeding ewes and rear 20-30 lambs by hand each year. Elizabeth rears her lambs on Launchpad18 colostrum powder and Sprayfo Primo Lamb milk replacer, with a boost of Biopect. “I am very particular about my lambs” says Elizabeth. “They are like […]

It’s a global standard that every calf needs a minimum of 100g IgG in the first feed. To ensure IgG content of maternal colostrum is adequate, we recommend a brixmeter test which will show you the milk solid (MS) %.

Texel sheep stud owner Elizabeth McEwan is rearing her lambs with new Launchpad18 colostrum powder along with Sprayfo Primo Lamb milk replacer this season. She’s exceptionally happy with the products and the progress of her lambs. The McEwans Texel Stud is on 50 acres near Ashburton. Here they run 200 breeding ewes and rear 20-30 […]

North Otago farmer Wayne Bugden is rearing 120 calves on AgriVantage’s Sprayfo Blue Premium calf milk replacer this season. With an added boost of Biopect, Wayne says the calves are off to an extra good start. Wayne switched to Sprayfo CMR based on his experience with Sprayfo Primo Lamb – which he used to rear […]

Quite simply, IgG delivers immunity and immunity is essential to survival. With a guaranteed 18 per cent IgG, AgriVantage Launchpad18 colostrum powder has at least 20 per cent more potential immunity than other powders on the market. That’s why it’s the best. Colostrum plays a vital role in neonatal health; providing high quality colostrum as […]

Profitable calf rearing Article supplied by Dr B.W. Schouten, BVSc Veterinary Consultant to AgriVantage Causes and diagnosis Without a doubt, dealing with scouring calves is the biggest challenge for the calf rearer, and the biggest threat to calf survival. Understanding the causes of neonatal diarrhoea (scours) is important, so that appropriate prevention and treatment can […]

Profitable calf rearing Article supplied by Dr B.W. Schouten, BVSc Veterinary Consultant to AgriVantage Once you’re sure that your newborn animals have consumed a good amount of quality colostrum, the feeding schedule over the first 10-day period will lay the foundation for good early health and growth. It’s important to consider the following: Feeding methods […]

Profitable calf rearing Article supplied by Dr B.W. Schouten, BVSc Veterinary Consultant to AgriVantage The decisions you make on Day 1 could make or break your calf rearing venture. This is the moment you select a calf and pay the market price.   As a rearer, your main objective must be to minimise the mortality […]

What impacts success or failure? Article supplied by Dr B.W. Schouten, BVSc Veterinary Consultant to AgriVantage Another calf rearing season is fast approaching, and dairy beef calves will soon become available for the dairy/beef market.   Questions you might be asking: What will be the price of a good quality calf? And, what will happen […]

Use Stalosan F in conjunction with a strong liquid disinfectant for a total hygiene solution. The combination is excellent for rearing pen preparation. For rearing shed or calf-pen preparation: 1. Remove all old soiled bedding. 2. Remove as much organic material from the floors, walls, posts, rails, and roof as possible. Don’t forget feeding equipment […]

“Successful calf rearing depends on many factors, especially good nutrition” says Dr Bas Schouten, one of New Zealand’s renowned experts on animal rearing. “Our aim is to meet the energy requirements of our animals while they are totally reliant on milk. “At the same time, we want to encourage the early intake of concentrates and […]

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is key to a strong, robust start to life and for fighting infections, making IgG content a critical factor when assessing the quality of colostrum. Failure of Passive Transfer (FPT) occurs when a calf or other new-born animal fails to obtain or absorb adequate quantities of IgG antibodies from colostrum in the […]

Pig farmers Pieter Bloem and third generation Gavin and Nicole are firm advocates for Milkiwean Yoghurt, having noted significant improvements in piglet performance and even sow condition since introducing it 3 years ago. In their opinion, there’s no better product for rearing piglets. Bloem Farm in the Otago Peninsula is home to 290 sows and […]

Several customers, mostly lamb rearers have asked us “Why can’t you make Sprayfo here? Wouldn’t that solve the supply issues?” The fact is we have investigated manufacturing Sprayfo milk replacers in New Zealand as this would reduce lead times considerably. Unfortunately, it can’t be done. Why? The chief reason is that Sprayfo is a whey […]

Lamb rearers Luke and Rebecca Mahoney were sold on Sprayfo Primo Lamb after just one season, based on the performance of the lambs and the support they received from AgriVantage in achieving their rearing objectives. Based on a 1,200 acre block in Pahiatua, the Mahoney’s have been large-scale calf rearers for some time. 2017 was […]

AgriVantage’s Warren Tanner discusses lamb rearing protocols with Spring Sheep Milk Co Farm Manager John Ryrie and Rearing Manager Jane Egan at the Monavale Pilot Farm in Cambridge. Key to Spring Sheep Milk Co’s overall operation is maximising the production of each individual animal to produce enough high-quality product for their markets. Their approach is […]

Feeding Sprayfo Primo Lamb whey-based milk replacer in an adlib feeding system has been a break-through for rearing orphan lambs, according to Sheep Farmer Peter Black, who up until three years ago was frustrated at lamb mortality from abomasal bloat. “Losses from abomasal bloat, which can take some of the best lambs after a lot […]

West Otago lamb rearer Lyn Chittock has experienced a significant decrease in lamb mortality from bloat over the last three seasons, having lost 40 out of 230 orphan lambs in 2015. She’s also regularly exceeding her weaning targets. So, what’s changed? Lyn switched her lambs to AgriVantage’s Sprayfo Primo Lamb whey milk replacer in 2016. […]

As part of their commitment to “better fed, better bred and better red” pork, Waratah Farms are rearing piglets with AgriVantage’s Milkiwean Yoghurt supplementary feed. Operations Manager Stuart Shaw says feeding Milkiwean is a key reason they now regularly better their target of 11 pigs per sow. Waratah Farms have a breeding herd of 1200 […]

Calf rearers Andy and Sharon Howard fed AgriVantage Sprayfo Blue Premium and Sprayfo Red calf milk replacers for the first time in 2017. Because it was so easy to mix, and the calves grew well, they’ll continue using it. No question. Based in Sheffield, Canterbury, the Howards rear 600 calves annually with the objective of […]

Trouw Nutrition, manufucturer of Sprayfo, says new data from a recent longitudinal study continues to support the idea that a higher plane of nutrition pre-weaning can help ‘program’ a cow’s future metabolism. To read the full article click here

Best practice in animal welfare is sheep farmer Bradley Stewart’s primary reason for rearing orphan lambs with Sprayfo Primo Lamb milk replacer. Abomasal bloat, which killed up to 25% of the lambs some years, is a thing of the past. The lambs are healthy, weaned earlier and are of increasing value to his operation. Home […]

“We have a much greater survival rate, and the lambs grow well, easily reaching the target weight with Sprayfo.” Using Sprayo Primo Lamb milk replacer has made hand rearing 200 orphan lambs so much easier, and more profitable, says Margaret Saunders. The chief benefit being the lambs no longer suffer bloat, plus it’s easy to […]

Watch the video below to see how Sprayfo has helped New Zealand farmer Simon Juby increase the weight of his goats.

One season using Sprayfo Blue Premium calf milk replacer has left Russell Vining convinced he has to include it in his budget for this year’s calf crop. Russell owns a 600 cow operation north of Huntly in the Waikato, and last winter decided to break with tradition and use calf milk replacer to rear replacements […]

John Reekers is used to the jibes from other farmers that he is bringing coals to Newcastle by using Dutch sourced milk powder to feed his calves on his Waikato property. However he makes no excuse for using Sprayfo Blue Premium whey based milk powder for his calves, and despite uncertainty around the payout, thinks […]

Ten free bags of milk powder and some good advice on calf rearing have paid dividends for Whakatane couple Noel West and Leeanne Tubbett. The large scale calf rearers (1,200 calves) were drawn to the AgriVantage stand at the 2013 Fieldays, with the prospect of getting some sage rearing advice from renowned expert Dr Bas […]

Good hygiene, established routines and a passion for rearing good calves sees Balclutha farm owner Tania Booth avoid many of the diseases and costs that can often hit southern farms over spring periods. Tania and partner Noel Caulfield have been farming in the region for 11 years after moving south from Matamata. They now own […]

For Matamata goat farmers Wayne and Robyn Montague, Sprayfo Goat milk replacer is set again to play a key role in their rearing programme for 2013. Wayne and wife Robyn moved out of dairy cows and into goats over 10 years ago, and today run 900 head in an indoor operation. The move from cows […]