54 | High quality feeds for cage-free birds MainFeeds operates feed mills in Auckland Levin and Waikouaiti. The main plant in Auckland produces more than 100,000 tonnes of feed per year for layer hens, broilers, pigs, and rabbits. Kelly Deeks One of New Zealand’s largest feed milling companies, MainFeeds, is supporting the poultry industry as it moves towards free range and sustainable food production, formulating high quality feeds that 100% meet the nutritional requirements of chicks and laying hens throughout their laying cycles and throughout their lives. MainFeeds has been in the feed milling business for 80 years and was known as Poultrymen’s Cooperative Society (PCL) in the earlier years. Over its long history, Mainfeeds has earned a reputation for being innovative in the face of adversity. Now owned by leading New Zealand egg producer Zeagold Nutrition, MainFeeds’ technical expertise, quality assessment, raw materials, and ration control drive its provision of 140,000 tonnes per annum of high quality, competitively priced feed products throughout New Zealand and the Paci c Islands. MainFeeds operates feed mills in Waikouaiti, Levin, and Auckland. In Levin, MainFeeds produces poultry feed only, while the main plant in Auckland, built in 2010 and equipped with state-of-the-art European technology including micro dosing capability, produces more than 100,000 tonnes of feed per year for layer hens, broilers, pigs, and rabbits. MainFeeds national manager Derek Willats says most of what MainFeeds produces today is geared towards cage-free birds, wholesome and nutritionally balanced feeds formulated from a combination of New Zealand whole grains, imported grains, grain by-products, plant proteins, animal proteins, animal fats, vegetable oils, minerals, and amino acids, as well as specialized vitamin and trace mineral pre-mixes. RURAL SERVICES » Mainfeeds • to page 55 www.stockfeed.co.nz The best animal nutrition, every time. From the moment the seed is planted in the ground, through to when it is fed to animals, Sharpes Farm Feeds takes care across the entire supply chain to deliver the highest quality stock feed. The family owned and operated Wairarapa-based business prides itself on its exceptional product, and service. Sharpes uses the highest quality, freshest raw materials for every product, either grown on their own farm next to the mill or sourced from a trusted group of local farmers. Grower Mark Guscott values his relationship with Sharpes. He gets enjoyment from spotting Sharpes products in-store, knowing they have played a part in the process of getting the product from seed in the ground to nished stock feed. “Sharpes is a long-standing business with a culture of thinking differently, not necessarily accepting the status quo, a little bit old-fashioned,” Mark says.“I know they produce good quality products, and it’s commercially driven – market led.” All product lines are developed in conjunction with animal nutritionist Alun Faulkner, for nutritionally balanced stock feed, then carefully blended with precision at the on-site Sharpes mill to ensure optimal animal health. Nutrition is a key component to the health, happiness, and growth of any animal, and Sharpes caters for a wide range of animals, from rats to sheep. The business has even made giraffe nuts in the past. Sharpes has the ability to tailor feed to meet the particular nutritional needs of any animal. Sharpes is proud to be GMO free and does not use palm kernel. Customer Chris Martin, of Wairarapa Eggs, says the quality of feed fed to chickens in uences everything from how strong the white is to the strength of the shell. “A good consistent feed source helps with all of these things. As a bird ages, it requires different things from its diet, like a different level of calcium for example. All chickens need a good amount of protein, as an egg is mostly protein.” He likes the ability to tweak feed at different times of the year, depending on the needs of the chickens. Sustainability has been at the forefront of Sharpes’ recent move to 100% recyclable packaging. Now customers can buy their favourite Sharpes Farm Feeds products and feel good about the planet at the same time. The full 10kg range is available in the new recyclable bags, with the 20kg range soon to follow. Sharpes has been in business for more than 120 years. When you want to know your animals are getting the best nutrition every time, you can rely on Sharpes Farm Feeds. www.stockfeed.co.nz From our farm to yours
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