Thompsons Feeding Innovation

31/01/2026

In today's Farming Life Fermanagh based Barry Read shares his experiences of lambing time and how he is preparing for the weeks ahead. With a family history steeped in sheep farming, Barry says he never stops learning and explains how experience has taught him to value the benefits that feeding Availa ZS brings to his flock.

Thanks Barry for taking time out of your very busy day to chat with us and good luck for the lambing season ahead 💪☺

If you want to find out how Availa ZS in your Ewe and Lamb feed can benefit your flock, read below and then contact your local Thompsons' rep or send us a DM. 👇

A Natural Fit for Ewes
Vitamins and minerals play a multitude of key roles within the body, and an adequate dietary supply is an essential component of any ration. For pregnant ewes in particular, two essential micronutrients - selenium and vitamin E – are well documented to enhance lamb vigour at birth and reduce the risk of mortality. For over ten years, Thompsons have been working in partnership with Zinpro to deliver superior mineral nutrition across our product range. Backed by an extensive body of peer reviewed
scientific research, the Availa range of trace minerals from Zinpro are proven to deliver superior:

1 – Solubility
2 – Stability
3 – Absorbability
4 – Metabolic availability

The Thompsons’ Sheep Range contains both Availa-Zinc and Availa Selenium (as Availa ZS) in selected rations, providing pregnant and lactating ewes, with an enhanced supply of these two essential trace elements. Research by Zinpro has demonstrated a vast array of benefits
for ewes and lambs when ewes are fed Availa-Zinc and Availa-Selenium during pregnancy and lactation, including:

1 – Enhanced immune function
2 – Improved colostrum quality
3 – Increased milk production
4 – Greater lamb vigour and lower mortality
5 – Improved lamb weight gains

Colostrum quality and lamb vigour are vital in any system and the new Availa ZS in Thompsons’ rations is a positive enhancement backed up with
sound research.

30/01/2026

In tomorrow's Farming Life we catch up with Agricultural Contractor and Sheep Farmer, Barry Read in County Fermanagh. Hear how he juggles all sides of the business to ensure he has a successful lambing period.

'Read' all about it 🤭🙄😂

29/01/2026

On a recent visit from Zinpro's Dr Huw McConochie, we got him to give us a quick update on why it is more important than ever to keep supporting the performance levels of the herd, particularly those cows in the transition period. Thompsons' David Anderson was on hand to walk him through this timely advice ☺👍

23/01/2026

This winter Thompsons' Technical Team, in conjunction with long-term partner Zinpro, brought the new and innovative product, IsoFerm to our dairy market. IsoFerm has now been hard at work on many of our customer's dairy units for long enough to see a marked improvement in performance, particularly in the Transition Cows.

In this video update from Thompsons' Richard Moore, he explains why transition cows on either of our 'IsoFerm included' nuts or blend are benefiting from having this unique product in their diet.

Follow us to see more technical updates 👍

21/01/2026

Two very different fundraising events, one big cheque for Rural Support 💪

Thompsons’ Production Planner Andy Bannister organized a Golf Day for Thompsons’ employees back in September at Aberdelghy Golf Club, with everyone having a great day and Thompsons’ Formulator Trudi Scott helped organise a Quiz Night with Thompsons’ Formulations Manager Sharon Doherty.

Both events raised £1,068.37 between them, which when match funded by W & R Barnett, meant that we were able to donate a cheque for £2136.74 to Rural Support. Their Director of Operations, Keelin Reilly visited the York Road site to receive the cheque from Trudi and Andy.

Well done everyone that was involved in raising this great amount for a charity that provides impartial guidance for producers and their families to help support their farm businesses and personal wellbeing. A very worthwhile cause indeed ☺

21/01/2026

We are all set up for the Careers Fair at Discover CAFRE Greenmount Campus. Thompsons' Sales Team Specialist Eoin Quinn is on hand to give out advice to any students interested in a career in the feed industry. ☺

Stop by for a chat 😀

Information on the event is available by clicking on this link;
https://www.cafre.ac.uk/events/opportunities-in-agriculture/

12/01/2026

We had a great time on Saturday at Redhouse Holsteins hugely successful Open Day. The day was a huge credit to all those that were working behind the scenes and Thompsons' were delighted to be able to support everyone involved.

We had Thompsons' faces, old and new at our stand promoting Zinpro IsoFerm and everything dairy.

We managed to get a photo of Thompsons' John Anderson, Ben Lindsay and Mary-Jane Robinson, who were all kept in check by their little helper, Ava ☺

Thanks for letting us be part of your day, it truly was an event of dynamic proportions, that showed huge support for the dairy industry as a whole, well done 👏🙌💪

We can't wait to hear the amount raised for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland ☺

12/01/2026

Don't worry if you missed our Sheep Update from Dr. Ronald Annett in Saturday's Farming Life, we've uploaded it to our website so you can view it at your leisure ☺🐑👇

https://www.thompson.co.uk/index.php/news

09/01/2026

Don't miss tomorrow's Farming Life where Thompsons' Ronald Annett gives some timely and sound advice on getting the right prep done in time for lambing.

Here's a snippet of what he will be discussing......

Preparation and planning is the key to lambing success, by Thompsons’ Dr. Ronald Annett.

Grass growth in 2025 was exceptionally good and grass covers remained well above average as the year drew to a close. After a good grass year, it can be tempting to hold ewes outside and delay the introduction of supplementary feeding until closer to lambing, but this strategy could end up being counterproductive.

The Thompsons’ Sheep Range contains both Availa-Zinc and Availa-Selenium (as Availa ZS) in selected rations, providing pregnant and lactating ewes, with an enhanced supply of these two essential trace elements. Research by Zinpro has demonstrated a vast array of benefits for ewes and lambs when ewes are fed Availa-Zinc and Availa-Selenium during pregnancy and lactation, including:

1 – Enhanced immune function
2 – Improved colostrum quality
3 – Increased milk production
4 – Greater lamb vigour and lower mortality
5 – Improved lamb weight gains

Colostrum quality and lamb vigour are vital in any system and Availa ZS in Thompsons’ rations is a positive enhancement backed up with sound research.

06/01/2026

We are all set to attend the open day at Redhouse Holsteins / Redhouse Genetic Solutions on Saturday, where will we have our Technical Team on hand to discuss all things dairy. Of course Zinpro's IsoFerm, a breakthrough innovation in dairy nutrition, will be a hot topic for us to discuss, so call by our stand for a chat, to find out how we can work together to improve your dairy business.

06/01/2026

This weather can play havoc with everything horse related, training programs, feeding routines, water supplies and how much you can physically manage to get through it all!

The cold snap won't last forever, but we want healthy, sound horses ready for when it all thaws, so be patient.

And don't struggle on, if you're not sure what to do, ask the experts at Pegus Horse Feed ☺️

05/01/2026