Calves and carers to get the best nutrition this season

Calves and carers to get the best nutrition this season

Calving time means lots of hungry mouths to feed on the farm so SealesWinslow has teamed up with the Dairy Women’s Network and celebrity chef Michael Van de Elzen to ensure both calves and carers get the best nutrition.

Calf rearing workshops, which began on 21 May and run through June and July will help rearers prepare for a successful season. Meanwhile Chef Van de Elzen will add seasoning to the sessions, providing recipe packs for fast, healthy meals to sustain farming families.

"I think my life is tough as a chef but farmers certainly work huge hours as well but often in very trying conditions. I'm excited to be supporting them with some tasty tucker," said Mike.

SealesWinslow ruminant nutritionist, Wendy Morgan, says the effort put into rearing calves pays off with healthy and productive replacement heifers and also for those being reared for the beef market.

“It starts with having a good calving plan, a well prepared team and making the most of farm facilities for good calf housing. With the basics in place, the rearers can concentrate on ensuring the calves get the right nutrition at the right time so they thrive.”

The calf rearing workshops focus on developing calving plans and housing, and cover the nutritional needs of calves before and after weaning. The free workshops are aimed at both first time and experienced rearers.

Wendy says even the most experienced rearers find calving can take its toll if the calves are eating better than the farm family during calving’s peak.

“We fully support the network’s emphasis on caring for the carers this season and we’re delighted to be helping to build a strong and healthy community of women in dairy.”

Workshop participants will end the day armed with more than the tools for a successful calving season. They will also receive five special recipes developed by Michael Van de Elzen. Michael will also be sharing his top tips on 12 June at the SealesWinslow Pavilion site PC36/PC38 at the Fieldays at Mystery Creek from 10 am to 11 am.

To register for one of the 15 workshops across the country, go to www.dwn.co.nz/events.

Continue the conversation online

For those that can’t be at any of the events in person, recipes are also available through the network’s website www.dwn.co.nz, and members are encouraged to upload their own nutritious recipes to share with the rest of the community.

SealesWinslow ruminant nutritionist Wendy Morgan is available to answer any questions on calf housing during a live Facebook chat running at 7 pm on 18 June on the Dairy Women’s Network page.

ENDS

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