88 | nzdairy RURAL SERVICES » BHL Feeds BHL Feeds imports most of its ingredients which are stored in a new feed warehouse in New Plymouth. Ange Davidson By supplying nutritionally balanced stock food to Taranaki and Manawatu farmers, BHL Feeds is adding value to what farmers do best - produce high performing livestock. Grass makes up 90% of most livestock’s feed, but there is an incredible opportunity to top off an animal’s diet with nutritionally dense feed that is tailored to meet the conditions that are happening on a particular farm. “We watch grass! We notice when there’s an energy crisis on a farm, the grass is yellowing through a long winter and lack of sun, and its damp underfoot. Cows have just calved and the cow’s main food source is low energy,” says Brett Mascull, owner of BHL Feeds in New Plymouth. “We’ll create an energy dense stock food that balances starches and proteins and contains metabolics to top off the cows’ diet to maintain productivity. We tailor the mix to suit seasonal conditions and no two farms are the same,” he says. Through testing grass samples and calculating the nutritional value of crops grown on farm, Brett says a diet is then created by the company’s nutritionist. Imported ingredients are used with macro nutrients like calcium, zinc and magnesium added as well as minor but essential elements such as selenium, boron, manganese and yeast. “Silo feeding is a big part of our business and it’s an incredible delivery method to feed livestock a medicated and controllable feed portion,” he says. “When cows come in for milking, they get a dose of 5-7 kg controlled feeding. It’s brilliant,” enthuses Brett. “As you look into the future, this is an excellent way to deliver new products such as products being developed to reduce cow’s methane gases. There is also research happening to the reduce the impact of heat stroke on herds and silo feeding is an awesome way to deliver these products.” BHL Feeds is feeding the future BHL Feeds imports most of its ingredients which are stored in a new feed warehouse in Bell Block industrial park at New Plymouth. A key ingredient in most feed mixes is molasses which is an outstanding supplement for increasing rumen as it feeds microbes that live in the gut. “The rumen is the engine room and it needs to be as ef cient as it can be. If the rumen is not healthy, the cow is creating gas but less milk. If the cow herd is ef cient, there can be less cows producing more milk, which means more milk is produced per mouthful of feed,” says Brett. “New technology like the Halter, a cow smart collar, tells farmers what the cow’s rumination is per day, as well as other information. This is where the industry is going. New Zealand’s farming system is set up really well for the future,” he says. BHL Feeds is family owned and operated with Brett’s three adult children, Renata, Elijah and “Silo feeding is a big part of our business and it’s an incredible delivery method to feed livestock a medicated and controllable feed portion.” 06 756 6650 / 027 825 6433 www.egmontdiesel.co.nz office@egmontdiesel.co.nz Heavy Transport Repairs · 24/7 Service Forestry / Marine / Oil & Gas Proudly supporting BHL Feeds Feedworks is changing the Agriculture Industry. Feedworks are proud to support BHL Feeds. www.feedworks.co.nz PO Box 530, New Plymouth 0800 584 569 We take pride in our ability to introduce new technologies, see their development through research, market investigation, commercialisation and finally a valuable profitable outcome for our customers. Visit: www.tandemgroup.co.nz or Call 06 758 5273 Supporting and empowering business Proud to Support BHL Feeds Chartered Accountants Tyson, all working in the business along with six other staff. Farmers are proving to like the family run model and are supporting the business. “Farmers just have to make one call, and we organise everything else including transport. It’s ef cient and really reliable,” says Brett.
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