70 | nzdairy DAIRY SERVICES » BHL Feeds Helping farmers to maximise productivity Karen Phelps By supplying locally tailored feeds, BHL Feeds in New Plymouth is helping farmers across Taranaki and Manawatu maximise the productivity of their herds. The family-owned company, specialising in both dry and liquid feeds for the dairy industry, has built a reputation on service, innovation and a deep understanding of local soils and climate conditions. “We create energy dense stock food that balances starches and proteins and contains metabolics to top off the cows’ diet to maintain productivity. Because we have been working in the region for so long we know the conditions of various soils in different areas and also how the local climate can affect grass production,” says Brett Mascull, managing director of BHL Feeds. This expertise is built from decades of experience. Some of BHL’s staff have been in the business for many years, enabling them to anticipate changes in pasture quality and adjust feed accordingly. “We might also do pasture or herbage sampling on the farm if required, but knowing the land and the region is invaluable,” says Brett. He says the nutritional advice BHL Feeds’ team gives farmers is also key: “We are putting a lot of metabolics into feeds now, for example magnesium after calving for grass staggers, zinc to combat facial eczema etc, so it is increasingly important for farmers they get the right advice about their feed for the overall health of their herd.” A good example is the company’s specialised liquid feeds, including unique molasses blends that suspend minerals such as magnesium, calcium and zinc. “If you’re wanting to get those minerals into animals, especially if you don’t have a silo at the shed, molasses is a good way to do it as it’s very palatable. It’s less hit and miss than dusting magnesium in the paddock. There’s nothing like getting those things into feed which goes straight down the cow’s throat.” BHL Feeds imports most of its ingredients which are stored in a feed warehouse in Bell Block industrial park at New Plymouth. Transport is another area where BHL differentiates itself. Owning its own fleet of trucks, the company ensures farmers receive feed quickly and reliably, without relying on third-party transport. “Farmers just have to make one call and we organise everything,” says Brett. He says this level of personal service is highly valued, especially when farms run low on feed. “The amount of production lost if they run out for a few days takes weeks to recover. Owning its own fleet of trucks, the company ensures farmers receive feed quickly and reliably, without relying on third-party transport. “We are not just here to sell feed. We are here to add value to a farmer’s business. Healthy cows make productive farms, and that’s our goal.” Proud to support BHL Feeds We can help Learn more at Is your business performing as well as it could be? www.unlimit.co.nz We are a locally owned and operated transportation business specialising in the cartage of bulk goods such as palm kernel, blended stock feed and fertiliser, along with the general farm freight of items such as bagged calf feed and hay/silage Taranaki wide. » BULK CARTAGE » HI-AB DELIVERY SERVICE » GENERAL FREIGHT SERVICE michielsenstransport.co.nz | 027 340 6273 | Michielsens Transport On-road & all-round excellence ‘ Engineering a Better Way’ www.transfleet.co.nz 78 McLaughlin Rd, Wiri, Auckland sales@transfleet.co.nz 09 262 3176 Transfleet Equipment are proud to support BHL Feeds We step up to make sure they get what they need.” BHL Feeds is family owned and operated with Brett’s adult children, Poppy, Elijah and Tyson, all working in the business along with six other staff. He says farmers like the family run model. Brett says BHL’s commitment extends beyond Taranaki and Manawatu, with some feeds now supplied into the Waikato and plans for further expansion. “We are not just here to sell feed. We are here to add value to a farmer’s business. Healthy cows make productive farms, and that’s our goal.”
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