MaxCare is a new range of milk replacers available exclusively in New Zealand through PGG Wrightson.



The MaxCare formulations have been developed in consultation with some of Australia’s leading ruminant nutritionists to build a strong foundation for healthy growth and for the first time, are available in New Zealand. MaxCare’s National Manager, Tom Newton explains, “We want to ensure that young animals are reaching their full potential when they get to weaning. By getting pre-weaning nutrition right we can have significant and long-lasting benefits through ‘whole of life’ production.”



"We produce products that deliver the best possible results for the animal whilst still being functional and easy to use for the farmer through any feeding system, including automatic feeders."



“We set high standards internally for our product. We have pride in our quality assurance systems and processes which includes FeedSafe and FIAAA accreditation. We focus on both the raw ingredients and the finished product going out to ensure quality and a consistent product. We test every batch for nutrient densities with Near Infrared Reflectance (NIR); we have sensory (smell, taste, visual), mixability and, where applicable, curd testing. Every bag is coded with batch, individual bag numbers and best before dates with full traceability back to the factory.”



The MaxCare range encompasses three calf milk replacers and a lamb milk replacer (see Table 1 below).

Advantages of MaxCare products include:

» Consistent nutritional delivery.

» Reduces the risk of digestive upsets and health problems.

» Reduces the transfer of disease and infection within a herd.

» Delivers an all-in-one package of nutrients and additives.



In addition to the MaxCare focus on dairy replacements and dairy beef production, there have been interesting developments in lamb rearing. Triplet management and strategies to get the best out of the lambs whilst ensuring the ewe can mother her lambs and return to joining in the required timeframe is becoming increasingly important. The system has been focussed on ewes bearing triplets with the removal and manual feeding of the third lamb. The theory is that the ewe is better equipped to fully feed two lambs and return to a positive energy balance sooner in comparison to rearing three lambs. Further to this is the opportunity to accelerate growth rates of the third lamb to either target an earlier market opportunity or, if genetically desirable, bring it back into the flock at an appropriate joining weight at a younger age.



“The use of milk replacers in these systems has delivered some interesting results over the past few seasons. It does come at a cost which may not always stack up. We need to consider the market value of the young stock to ensure we are driving a commercial return, but importantly this system is looking at the flow-on benefits to the mother and ensuring we are managing her nutrition correctly to minimise any negative impact on reproductive performance” commented Tom.



Privately owned and operated, MaxCare has built their business on exceeding customer expectations. “We’re there every step of the way. A very visible presence in the fabric of rural community life. We are extremely excited about the opportunity to work with PGG Wrightson and their customers in New Zealand and can’t wait to get into the season.”



For more information about the MaxCare range, contact your local PGG Wrightson store.

Table 1: Nutritional Information of the MaxCare range

Supplied by MaxCare