Agvance Nutrition

Are you running a high-input system? Farms using feed pads or in-shed feeding have more options when it comes to balanced nutrition. When cows are grouped and fed in a controlled environment, you can stop guessing and start dialling in nutrition that keeps cows healthy and producing at their best.

Start with the basics by knowing what’s in your ingredients and mix consistently, then use products that fit higher-input systems. Premixes make sure cows get balanced vitamins and minerals every day, rumen buffers help keep cows steady through heavy intakes, and yeast supports digestion so cows handle big meals without falling into acidosis. Used together, these tools help maintain rumen health and steady milk production.

Herd data from feed pads, automatic feeders or herd monitors makes decisions easier. Real-time intake, grouping by stage of lactation, and milk or rumination trends let you spot needs early, so you can tweak buffers for fresh cows, add fermentable fibre for fast-eating groups, or change premix levels based on what the herd really needs. That means fewer surprises and better returns.

Clear nutrition pays off, so use what you have available to your advantage. Talk to Agvance about practical, specialised nutrition planning for higher-input systems.

No feed pad? You can still put a strong transition plan in place on grass‑only farms.
Farmers without feed pads or in-shed feeding still have transition options. The right fit depends on the farm system, delivery method and timing. Let’s take a closer look.

Higher empty rates? You’re not alone. Several regions are seeing higher empty rates or mixed mating results. This creates a good opportunity to review rumen function, trace minerals and wider nutrition support.

Challenge: Rising empties or mixed mating results often reflect nutrition and rumen issues, not just bull or heat detection problems.

What to check now:
✔️ Body condition score trends across mating groups (thin cows take longer to cycle).
✔️ Rumen function: Forage quality, feed variability, acidosis signs and buffer/yeast use.
✔️ Trace minerals: Copper, selenium, cobalt and iodine status linked to fertility.
✔️ Energy balance: Transition cows and first‑calvers often need targeted support.
✔️ Farm management: Grouping, bull power and AI timing that may mask nutritional causes.

Practical actions:
✔️ We suggest rumen buffers and yeast in premixes for herds with variable silage or high-concentrate feeding to stabilise intakes.
✔️ Review loose‑lick placement and composition to ensure consistent intake through early lactation and mating.
✔️ Prioritise testing (forage analysis, blood/trace screens) on representative animals before making broad changes.

Top tip: In high‑silage systems, check silage fermentation quality and potassium levels as these affect appetite and rumen stability during mating.

Need more help? Talk to Agvance about reviewing the nutrition factors that may be holding back next season’s mating.

At ? Want to avoid milk fever this spring? Come visit us at site PA1A in the Pavilion, for all your transition and lactation blends 🙌

Calving comes around quickly so start planning your calf shed now and get ahead of spring.

Things to get sorted before calves arrive:
✔️ Housing: Clean pens, dry bedding, good ventilation and enough space per calf.
✔️ Colostrum: Test quality, record timing and ensure rapid feed‑up after birth.
✔️ Starter nutrition: Confirm milk replacer program, starter feed availability and feeder hygiene.
✔️ Health supports: Plan probiotics, electrolytes and monitoring for scours risk.
✔️ Product placement: Prepare easy-access tubs or measured dosing to ensure consistent intake of Free Choice Colostrum Starter for springers.

We suggest Calf Protect or Calf Protect Plus as part of a wider calf‑first plan. Speak with your Agvance consultant to build a calf plan that fits your shed and spring workload.

Give your calves the best start with Agvance's Calf Protect range Support calf gut health, digestion and growth with the Agvance Calf...

Tough FE season?

Cows exposed to facial eczema often have damaged livers, lower appetite and poorer fertility going into dry-off.

Support recovery now to protect next season’s performance.

South Island farmers are making their winter feeding plans now and it's key that mineral support matches the crop, feed plan and cow condition.

Challenge: Settling cows onto fodder beet or conserved feed without checking mineral balance can raise milk‑fever, poor reproduction and lower intakes.

What to check now:
✔️ Cow BCS and cows historically prone to milk fever or thin condition.
✔️ Forage analysis (silage, fodder beet) for calcium, phosphorus and soluble potassium.
✔️ Feed delivery and wet‑weather storage.

Practical next steps:
✔️ We suggest planning targeted calcium and phosphorus support for cows coming off fodder beet.
✔️ These can help: Winter loose licks, CalciPhos or SoluPhos where phosphorus is low, and Pentamin Plus for higher trace needs.
✔️ Use trough or covered placement on wet paddocks to protect licks and intakes.

Get in touch today to talk about the winter mineral mix that best suits your South Island system.

When choosing calf nutrition products, it is important to select based on outcomes, not just ingredients.

Here are some of our best recommendations:
- For a great start to life with strong immunity & vigour - we suggest Calf Protect to boost colostrum response and reduce early setbacks.
- Higher disease risk or uneven mobs - select Calf Protect Plus for extra trace minerals and immune support.
- For targeted growth and rearing performance - we suggest Calf Protect Grower to lift ADG through the grower phase.

Plan early so you can hit the ground running when calving comes around. Now is a good time to chat to your rep about which calf option best suits your system.

Transition support that fits your system is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Different farms need different transition options, and the right fit depends on the system.

Getting it right and planning ahead saves stress at transition, but don’t worry, here is a quick breakdown to help you match the right product with your system.

When you switch to maize or new feeds, energy gaps are sorted quickly but minerals, buffers and rumen stability often lag. That’s when acidosis, poor intakes and lower yield can show up.

Check now:
- Rumen buffers and effective fibre, maize can drop scratch factor
- Premix balance - match for starch shift, not just calories
- DCAD and salt if close-up cows may be affected
- Phosphorus and trace minerals when silage/maize dilute intake
- Mixing routine and feed delivery consistency

Practical fixes:
- Use a tailored premix or maize balancer to steady rumen function
- Top up water‑soluble minerals or Soluphos if phosphorus tests low
- Keep feed particle size and push‑ups consistent
- Monitor cow appetite and manure consistency for early warning signs

Talk to Agvance about reviewing your ration support when feed changes.