Press clippings

Article appearing in the Rural News (05/07/2006)

Mongrels to minters

Hayley Petch enjoys the task of rearing calves on her family’s farm at Waipapakauri, Northland. The Petchs are this year milking 150 Friesians through a 22-bale rotary. Last year they reared 300 calves, Hayley says. This is her third year of calf rearing. “We buy mongrels from the bargain bin at Kaikohe sale - the skinny ones other farmers don’t want to put time and effort into. At the end of the day they’re our pride and joy.” The farm uses DairyCare Tonic, a natural herbal nutritional supplement derived from aloe plant extracts, manuka honey and natural mineral water. Known for its nutritional and healing properties, aloe contains about 75 naturally active ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, anthraquinones and saccharides. These are said to benefit the natural immune system and promote herd health. It is known to benefit dairy cattle, notably promoting udder health. Tel. 0800 820 830

Article appearing in the Rural News (11/10/2006)

Field days win tonic for numbers

Winning a free trial of DairyCare Tonic (aloe vera) at Southern Field Days, Waimumu, enabled an Invercargill dairy farmer to test the maker’s claims that the tonic strengthens cows’ and calves’ immune systems. Stuart Holden entered a prize draw for four months’ supply of DairyCare Tonic. Now an analysis of his dairy company statements tells a good story, says DairyCare spokesman Kuldeep Sharma. Holden began using the product towards the end of the season - March through May - when somatic cell counts rise and production drops. While the 2006 season was generally considered a good season, Holden says there was no doubt the tonic helped his positive statistics for the period. And he will try it again this season to confirm the results. Beginning with an initial immune-system boost, the benefits increased with regular dosing, and Holden’s May records showed a significant rise in milk production and lower SCC, the company says. DairyCare concedes other variables contribute to good statistics, such as the weather and soil and grass condition. But even with these, customers continue to report positive results which they attribute to their regular use of the tonic, Sharma says. ”Research shows regular small doses over a long time work best. Prevention is better than cure in herd healthcare, but DairyCare Tonic is safe to use as a booster at higher dosage rates, with no withholding period.” Raedon Jackson, Te Aroha, drenched cows with infected udders at 100ml per cow for 10 days, and transformed their health condition in this short time, Sharma says.. DairyCare Tonic is a natural, organic food supplement made in New Zealand from organic aloe vera and manuka honey. Aloe vera contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, anthraquinones and saccharides - 75 natural elements working together to enhance the immune system. Tel. 021 610 306

Article appearing in the Rural News (22/02/2006)

Aloe vera builds cows' immunity

Dairycare Tonic helps build the immune system in cows, the company says. The tonic is made from a blend of organically grown aloe vera and manuka honey. The Aloe vera is sourced from an International Aloe Science Councils-approved supplier, ensuring tonic of highest quality. The product is made in New Zealand in an ISO 9002 certified laboratory. Aloe vera and manuka honey combine to build the immune system in animals, the company says. In dairy cows New Zealand farmers have had very good results, bringing a higher payout. Pamela and Neville Goodsir, Balclutha, have used DairyCare Tonic for some time and report a healthy herd and lower vet bills. Lawry Williamson, Oamaru, says he has increased milk production with the tonic and his calves have gained weight faster, cutting the weaning time by at least one week, saving him enough money to justify the use of the product. Karen Petch, Kaitaia, says he won’t use any other supplement. The DairyCare Tonic comes with a money-back guarantee. Showgoers may register on the company site for the chance to win a four-month supply of DairyCare Tonic.

Rural News (07/06/2007)

Nature’s boost to herd health

Ten years drenching their dairy herd with apple cider vinegar and garlic, then a further boost from DairyCare tonic, has two Morrinsville farmers convinced about the value of these natural stock remedies. Bruce and Patrina Kennedy, Kiwitahi, 10km south-east of Morrinsville, say they have seen these treatments boost health and production in their herd. After 10 years of the cider vinegar/garlic brew, three years ago they added DairyCare tonic. Their 94ha (effective) farm ranges from flats to rolling to steep. The steep part is used for young stock and the balance is the milking platform. The 290 cows are Jerseys and they have just ended their farm record production season up six per cent to 100,000kg/MS. “We aim to utilise every blade of grass while maintaining cow condition,” says Kennedy. They plant 4ha of turnips for summer feed, harvest 18ha for silage and all hay needs are brought in. The cows are drenched daily with 5ml DairyCare Tonic combined with 5ml apple cider vinegar/garlic. This is combined with bloat drench or zinc through the season. When drenching for bloat is no longer needed the mixture is dispensed with portable dispensers in water troughs. The area is prone to summer dry spells and the herd is on OAD milking from the end of January. “When my Jerseys drop to averaging 12L per day is the time we make the change.” With the use of DairyCare there has been a drop in his somatic cell count. In his first season of use his average figure of 128,000 dropped to an average of 100,000 and fewer clinicals. Any cows with mastitis or other health problems are kept separate to remove stress and given 10ml DairyCare for 10 days to help their immune system. He only uses antibiotics within reason and only has to dry cow treat 10% of the herd. “We intend to continue as we have seen the big improvement in stock health and the increase in production.” Tel. 0800 820 830