Agvance Nutrition

28/10/2025

Despite working the land, we all know that farming is becoming ever more technical. But what impact does that have on animal nutrition?

In this month's article, Chris Balemi looks at how technology and nutrition work together and the benefits that combination has for managing our herds.

From monitoring activity to managing milk volume, data is at our fingertips, but we need to know what to look for because at the end of the day, technology can't replace stock expertise, pasture skills or a balanced diet.

Read the full article here: https://agvance.co.nz/combine-tech-and-nutrition-for-the-best-outcome/

23/10/2025

Want to lift mineral levels in your herd? OptiPrill makes it simple.

• Delivers proven forms of minerals cows can actually absorb
• Helps close the gaps that lead to health and production losses
• Palatable prills that flow well through in-shed systems

We’ve built the OptiPrill range around the different challenges faced in the North and South Islands, so you get the right balance for your farm.

Talk to your local Agvance consultant about how OptiPrill can keep your cows performing.

Check out the Optiprill range here: https://agvance.co.nz/product-category/mineral-products/in-shed-feeding/

16/10/2025

There's a friskiness to the spring air, which means it's time to make sure your girls have the essential minerals they need for mating.

1. Key to begin with is ensuring you optimise the amount of energy a cow's total diet. This can be achieved with topping, careful feed management, and grain or meal feeding.

2. Feed tests are also crucial so you know what you are dealing with regarding feed and mineral nutrition. It's important to maintain ME and protein balance at this time.

3. Manage the rumen by manipulating feed or using a nutritional yeast and/or rumen buffer. Watch out for low DM feed and fat % dropping in the milk.

4. Ensure your girls are getting optimum levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc, cobalt, iodine, selenium, chromium, and boron supplementation.

Get in touch with your local Agvance Consultant to sort your cows' mating mineral needs.

13/10/2025

What are the trace minerals that help cows cycle and get in-calf?

🐄 Selenium – keeps ovaries working well, cuts down on retained foetal membranes and gets cows cycling back quicker
🐄 Copper – low copper can mean late or silent heats; the right balance helps heats show properly
🐄 Zinc – supports hormone signals, including luteinising hormone (LH), which triggers ovulation

Getting these minerals right can be the difference between cows holding to first service or dragging out the mating period.

09/10/2025

Have you caught up on the latest episode of the MYCOW Podcast, proudly supported by Agvance?

This week, Ben Matthews is back to talk cow wearables - from collars to monitoring systems - and how they’re helping farmers make smarter, more efficient decisions on-farm.

🎧 Tune in now: https://mycow.nz/podcast/

Science-based, farmer-friendly dairy cow nutrition podcast. Hosted by Shaun Balemi. Listen on Spotify, Apple and iHeart. Get more milk from every feed.

06/10/2025

Did you know? Ketosis isn’t just one thing.

It can actually come from three different nutritional causes:

🐄 Type 1: Poor nutrition – not enough propionic acid or amino acids in the diet to meet glucose needs
🐄 Type 2: Fat cows – over-conditioned cows mobilising too much fat, overwhelming the liver
🐄 Type 3: Bad silage – high butyric acid silage leading to higher ketone levels

In every case, the liver’s ability to fuel the cow is impaired. But each type needs a different nutritional fix.

If you tackle it right, with the correct energy precursors, targeted minerals, and silage checks, you can help restore liver function and support fertility.

Want to know more? Get in touch with your local Agvance Consultant today.

02/10/2025

Why customise your mineral mix?

Every herd is different and has different nutritional needs. Customising your mineral mix means you can:

1. Match your cows' actual requirements instead of just hoping for the best
2. Avoid wasting money on minerals your cows don't need

And by doing blood or liver tests, you can keep adjusting as you go, so you know you're always hitting the mark.

Customisation = cost-effectiveness.

29/09/2025

How your cows are cycling this spring is telling you something. Weak heats, delayed cycling, or late-calvers struggling to get in-calf often point back to mineral imbalances during the transition period.

You can’t change what minerals were (or weren’t) given pre-calving, but you can:

🐄 Check mineral status now with blood or liver tests

🐄 Support conception with targeted trace elements like copper and selenium

🐄 Keep a close eye on body condition and heat detection

Poor reproduction isn’t just bad luck; it’s often a sign that transition minerals need a rethink. What you do this season sets you up for fewer empties and stronger results next year.

Read more here: https://agvance.co.nz/transition-makes-or-breaks-reproduction/

25/09/2025

When cows don’t get in-calf, it’s not always the bull’s fault. Sometimes the problem starts much earlier – in the liver.

During early lactation, cows can slip into ketosis, which doesn’t just hit milk in the vat. It weakens immunity and knocks fertility, making it harder for cows to cycle and hold pregnancies.

Feeding for the liver – not just the rumen – is one of the best things you can do to set your herd up for a stronger mating. That means the right energy sources, good silage, and the trace minerals that keep the liver working hard.

Read the full article from Agvance Nutrition: https://agvance.co.nz/reproduction-starts-in-the-liver/

23/09/2025

🚜 We’re hiring: Warehouse Team Leader – Rolleston, Christchurch 🚜

We’re on the lookout for someone hands-on and people-first to run our Rolleston warehouse and dispatch operations. You’ll lead a team, manage orders, stock, and deliveries, and make sure our mineral products reach Kiwi farmers exactly when they need them.

🐮 What you’ll do:
• Lead inbound and outbound deliveries, storage, inventory, packing and dispatch.
• Support your team, roll up your sleeves when needed.
• Keep everything safe, tidy and on schedule.

🐮 Who we want:
• Someone who’s done warehouse coordination or has led a team (bonus if you’ve been in a fast-paced dispatch setup).
• You're practical, reliable, calm under pressure.
• You care about doing things right – safety matters.

🐮 What you’ll get:
• Full-time, permanent role with immediate start.
• Work with a Kiwi family-owned business that supports dairy farmers.
• A respectful team culture, clear communication, training and support.

If you’re ready to lead, get stuff done, and make an actual difference to Kiwi dairy farmers, we want you. Hit the link to apply now: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/jobs/manufacturing-operations/storepersons-warehousing/canterbury/christchurch-city/full-time/listing/5492091454

22/09/2025

We measure our success by your success, so it's great to know you had such good results from our supplements, Jason!

"I’m feeding Optiprill, Calsea, and burger fat through a dispenser into my in-shed meal line and I’m really happy with the results. After doing livers and bloods last year, the results came back sweet as. My in-calf rates have been a lot better after a full season on the supplements." - Jason Laurence, 215 cows, 65 hectares, Waikato

18/09/2025

Cows not holding condition or milk fat dipping?
Spring grass can drop rumen pH fast.

Calsea keeps the rumen steady for up to 8 hours, helping cows digest more, absorb more calcium, and stay on track for milk and repro.

It's a simple and effective way to get more from the feed you’re already putting in.

👉 Talk to us about where Calsea fits on your farm.

https://agvance.co.nz/product/calsea/