One of the key drivers of the ProfeLAC range is the company’s commitment to research, development, and innovation to its product portfolio. ProviCo relies on Provimi, a global research and innovation company, for ingredient selection and trial proven additives to aid animal performance and health.

ProfeLAC premium milk replacers are produced at Murray Goulburn Co-Operative’s unique, state-of-the-art manufacturing and processing plant in East Gippsland Victoria. According to David Reynolds, ProviCo’s national sales and product manager, the introduction of “EasyMix Technology” via Murray Goulburn Co-operative’s unique process is the reason for the unparalleled quality and easy mixing properties of ProfeLAC milk products.

The introduction of “MilkSoluble Innovation” into the ingredient selection process ensures availability and absorption by the infant gut of micro-nutrients contained within ProfeLAC and FortiMILK products.

“These technologies – symbolised by new-look logos – have raised the quality bar and has generated unprecedented producer and reseller demand for the ProfeLAC range and hence ProviCo’s position as Australia’s leading infant animal nutrition company,” Mr Reynolds said.

“As a general rule, the milk replacer industry is based on least-cost formulation models where downgraded ingredients from Australia and New Zealand are sourced and dry blended to protein and fat specs with added vitamin/mineral/additives, then bagged off for resale. Some two years ago ProviCo switched to Murray Goulburn Co-operative’s state of the art wet-blend, spray-dry process at the Maffra plant located in East Gippsland and its technology is unique to Australia, and indeed most places around the globe.”

ProviCo is dedicated to using only 100% Australian dairy ingredients and is one of the few milk replacer companies that fully support the Australian dairy industry by specifying 100% Australian dairy content.

In addition to careful dairy ingredient selection, the benefit of this unique manufacturing process is uniform product consistency, ease of mixing with every bag and improved animal health and performance.

“The rebranding of ProviCo’s market leading brand to ProfeLAC symbolises its position as the new GOLD STANDARD for milk replacers in Australia,” Mr Reynolds said. “The adoption of next generation manufacturing technology and researched nutritional refinements together deliver exceptional products for rearing healthy, quality infant livestock to give them the start of a lifetime.

As part of rebranding ProviCo’s premium milk replacer product range to ProfeLAC, the company has a brand new website and 1300 number where more information about ProviCo products and services can be obtained.

Introducing the ProviCo Team

ProviCo world-class products are supported in the field with a team of experienced professionals.

“Getting out on farm and working alongside farmers to develop practical and effective solutions tailored to each individual operation in rearing healthy infant livestock is what the ProviCo Product Support and Sales Team is all about.”

Cam Blackwood is based in Wangaratta and is a familiar face to many farmers and rural resellers, having worked extensively within the ruminant nutrition industry. Cam is responsible for servicing Eastern Victoria and southern NSW.

Colin Makin, formerly a dairy farmer, brings a wealth of practical dairy farming and calf-rearing experience to the role and is recognized for his passion in animal welfare and husbandry. Col is based in Echuca and is responsible for Western Victoria.

Allan McGillivray is a qualified nutritionist having worked extensively within the ruminant nutrition industry both in Australia and overseas. Based in the Adelaide Hills, Allan provides sales and technical support for farmers and consulting nutritionists.

Meanwhile David Reynolds provides sales, marketing and technical expertise to the product support and sales team. Based in Melbourne, David covers Tasmania, Queensland, Northern NSW, and Western Australia.

For more information about calf-rearing management and ProviCo world class products and services, contact the ProviCo team member for your area.

ProviCo – Infant Animal Specialists: CALL: 1800 380 343 or find out more right here on our website.

Mr Cooper rears some 500 Holstein Friesian replacement heifer calves annually in two batches.

“We calve 400 cows in March and April, and the same number in August and September, which gives us a split calving pattern with approximately 200 to 250 Holstein heifer and beef cross calves in each batch to rear,” Mr Cooper said.

And he also believes the secret to rearing healthy calves is heavily based on two products from the ProviCo range, the ProfeLAC Gold Premium Calf Milk Replacer + Bovatec used in conjunction with BioCalf Prebiotic Food.

“We have been using ProviLac Gold Premium Calf Milk Replacer for more than four years now and couldn’t be happier with the growth rate of our calves.

“The beauty of this product is the calves grow very well and we don’t experience the health issues and infection that we once experienced when using other forms of milk replacer,” he said.

“The other important aspect that is critical to calf rearing is the mixing of the milk powder, and ProfeLAC Gold mixes very well.

“This calf milk replacer is blended from full cream dairy ingredients, and is fortified with essential vitamins including the B Group, and Trace minerals for optimum calf nutrition.”

ProfeLAC Gold also contains two additives to improve body weight gain and calf health and that is Bovatec, a broad spectrum anticoccidial which is added for improved feed efficiency and increased rate of weight gain and for the control and prevention of coccidial infections frequently associated with weaning plus high-doses of ProfeSTART Pro-Biotic to aid digestion.

Mr Cooper also relies on ProviCo’s BioCalf Prebiotic Food, which he has been using in conjunction with ProfeLAC Gold since it was introduced to the market.

“We use this product in conjunction with ProfeLAC Gold, as it is a proven combination product that gives increase growth rates.

“The BioCalf Prebiotic Food also enables a smooth transition from milk to solid feed.

“It contains a patented blend of Prebiotics which are a group of indigestible carbohydrates that bypass digestion in the calf’s stomach and upper intestinal tract and is utilized as a nutrient by naturally occurring micro flora that colonises the wall of the lower intestinal tract.”

Prebiotics stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in the calf’s digestive tract and maintain micro flora balance and keeps the gut healthy.

“This benefits the calf by aiding intestinal microbial balance – the calves’ first line of defense against disease, and this is something we are mindful of.”

Mr Cooper said that at the same time he also relies on “university trials at Massey in New Zealand which demonstrate that feeding calves BioCalf Prebiotic Food, can increase their body weight by 23 percent.”

The combination of pre-biotic and pro-biotic in the supplemented milk feed aids digestion, improves gut health, reduces the severity of scours which increases the feed efficiency which in turn increases the calf’s body weight gain.

Mr Cooper said the calves are weaned when they weigh 100kg which is usually at the age of eight to nine weeks, and placed on pasture supplemented with pellets.

Buena Vista consists of 1300ha of which there is 240ha of irrigated country sown to rye grass, fescue, prairie grass and kikuyu.

Overall the farm produces about 7.5million litres of milk selling to National Foods through the Dairy Farmers Milk Co-Operative.

David Reynolds, National Sales and Product Manager for ProviCo, says that husbandry of newborn calves is a delicate and exacting science. With an approximately 400K annual investment on 500 head of cattle, it’s an important incentive to ensure that the products you use promote health and strength with a good ratio of fat and muscle in your up and coming milking herd. It is pretty important then you know what’s in the bag.

ProviCo have recently opened a hotline inviting new and existing customers alike to ask questions about all aspects of animal nutrition. We find, says David, that clients are unsure of the process, what do we need first, for how long and in what quantity? We can map all that out for you and tell you where to pick up your ProviCo supplies.

What’s in the bag is really important to a great start in life, says David. We add some stuff for both the humans and the calves involved! We understand the frustration of opening yet another bag of milk replacer and finding it looks different, smells awful and takes you a lifetime to mix. We ensure that every batch is consistent and we believe if it doesn’t smell good, neither will the taste. Both calves and humans will be pleasantly surprised with ProviCo Milk Replacers.

For Robin and Linda French of Montumana farm in north-west Tasmania, who have seen spectacular results from their ProviCo milk-fed calves, it has been essential to their success to carefully follow the four step program.  Careful administration of colostrum management practices, preventative products to combat to aid hygience and combat disease, pro-biotic inoculation, and ProviLac quality calf milk replacer feeding, has resulted in some of Australia’s premium calves.

Read more of how the French’s reared the best calves in their dairy experience or call the ProviCo hotline on 1300 380 343.

Our dedication to our products stems from a care for the sustainability of livestock. We believe in a holistic approach where livestock are treated with respect and genuine concern is given for their wellbeing. In return we find our customers experience consistently high yields.

Our staff offer you a broad range of expertise and experience from animal nutrition, the pharmaceutical industry and animal husbandry.

We can ensure your needs are met day by day and from year-to-year. We have the knowledge to assist you to make smart feed choices, call on 1300 380 343 to see what we can achieve together.

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