New ■ sales rep at home with cows on the Coast

• Published date: 13 December 2023
• Publication title: West Coast Farming Times, The

She has found her perfect role at Seales Winslow as the West Coast, Nelson and Tasman technical sales representative. She has traded in 5am starts in the cow shed for weekly visits to dairy farmers across the region, using her hands on experience to help them uncover how good nutrition can boost farm production and profitability

West Coast dairy farmers, like those across the country, are grappling with the challenges of tight cashflow and squeezed margins, says Charlotte, who has been in her new role for seven months.

"There are some tough conversations being had. On the upside, it's also given me the opportunity to meet some farmers I wouldn't have met because everyone is searching for more cost-effective and efficient solutions to herd nutrition," says Charlotte.

"Even when times are tough, cows still need energy and minerals to be healthy and produce well. I enjoy supporting my farmers to find the best solutions to fire up their cows' rumen and help them get the most out of their grass system. At the end of the day, farmers care about their cows and they want to make the best decisions for their herds," says Charlotte.

As farmers scrutinise their spending, Charlotte is urging them to think long term about herd nutrition from calving through to mating and the following lactation.

"It's not just what you're feeding now, it's the flow on effect of the feed choices you make now and how that will impact your herd season to season," says Charlotte. "Do your numbers and make informed decisions."

Charlotte is originally from Britain and came to New Zealand 16 years ago to take on a milking job on...