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 it will be his option this season too.
“I have been asked a few times why would I be using milk powder from Holland when there is plenty from here in New Zealand. The reason is that I do not trust a lot of New Zealand sourced milk powder, I have had problems in the past with it and quality consistency can be an issue.”
Coming from Holland himself to go farming here, it also his familiarity with the brand that saw him readily convert to it last season.
John grew up in sight of the Sloten powder factory in the Fryslan province of the Netherlands, and saw plenty of the product used on farms in Holland with success.
“It is regarded as the Rolls Royce of milk powders, with good mineral and nutrient levels, and very consistent quality, and not even all whey powders are necessarily like that.”
He and wife Jako rear a number of calves, both on their 150ha home farm near Hamilton, and on their nearby runoff.
” The reason we went for it last year was because for the first time it worked out cheaper to use the powder than to take the milk out of the vat. Plus there was the convenience factor, rearing around 200 mixed calves at the run off , and needing to mix milk up easily.”
With no hot water there they found the Sprayfo Blue Premium mixed easily in cold water, and it mixed well with what colostrum they had on hand. The Reekers managed to capitalise on the gas line interruption last year that saw many processing companies and milk plants shut down.
“We picked up a lot of milk out of that and mixed the whey powder into it it was fine and it helped make it all last longer.”
He notes the calves adapt seamlessly to the powder, they did not scour, and it was very easy to store and mix.
“It was good for when staff were doing the calves, no confusion, just one bag for 20 calves.”
At home John was rearing 150 replacement calves, and they also reared 120 Jersey calves at the run off for service bulls, a lucrative opportunity he is considering again for this season.
“I think we will use it again this season, I know the payout is looking lower, but I think it will come up. Everyone uses whey powder in Europe, and I am sold on it here, it is a very good product.”
No comments yet.