Pioneering on-farm experiment – The Multimin Performance Ready Challenge moves into round two

With round one winners soon to be announced, the creators of the Multimin Performance Ready Challenge - Virbac Australia, is excited to reveal the 11 producers who will take on the Challenge in round two, this June, July, and August.
 

The Challenge, which follows producers, as they track their experience using trace mineral management in sheep and cattle at high demand production times, will see competitors from New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania, battle it out in round two.
 

Dr. Jerry Liu, Multimin Marketing Manager, said: “The Challengers have been selected from an overwhelming number of applications all of them top-quality beef, sheep and dairy producers.”
 

He added that despite the trying start to the year, the decision to continue with the Multimin Performance Ready Challenge had been the right one.
 

“The first three months of the Challenge have seen some positive results from producers as well as provided lighthearted competitiveness and relief to the community as well,” he said.
 

Like round one, round two Challengers will be using Multimin to test the effects on animal fertility, health, and, ultimately, their financial bottom-line over the next three months.
 

Round one Challenger James Burge (NSW) received his Multimin supplies from Nutrien Ag Solutions, Cootamundra has done a comparison using Multimin pre-joining this year versus not using any last year on the same sheep. The result – he had less dry sheep, fewer singles, more twins, and more fetuses scanned overall. When asked his thoughts on the results, he said: “The results are surprisingly favourable given the marginal season through joining. As we are targeting more lambs from fewer ewes, overall, the results are really positive for us.”
 

James is just one of the many producers who achieved positive results in round one. Rosie Davenport (TAS) did too, posting in the Facebook group: “Awesome Multimin Results! So happy with the difference in weaning this year compared to last year in our beef calves.

Giving Multimin to the calves four weeks before weaning has worked well, along with partial paddock weaning.”
 

Dr. Liu says that he is expecting round two Challengers to continue this positive trend, as they are guided through the Challenge with expert support from veterinarians and livestock nutrition experts, while also working closely with their local Virbac representative.
 

The following producers will be participating in the Multimin Performance Ready Challenge for round two 2020: Jacqui & Jason Impey (NSW), Ben Ree (NSW), Carlie Barry (VIC), Justin Hall (VIC), Joanne Jones (SA), Richard & Cynthia Stark (QLD), Troy Mostert (WA), Kymberly Teelow (QLD), Emma Patterson & Jake Berghofer (QLD), David Thallon (QLD), and Lester Rainbow (TAS).
 

Interested farmers can follow each of their journeys and read more about the Challengers and their operations via the dedicated Multimin Performance Ready Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/multimin.
 

Round two Challengers who have already started posting in the group include black and red Simmental breeders, Jacqui and Jason Impey. Due to the ongoing drought, they relocated to the Tamworth area in July 2019 with a reduced number of breeders. Since then, their focus has been on retaining core breeders intending to increase numbers in the future. In their post, they said that they are excited to be part of the Challenge to help them realise the potential for improved health and performance in their Simmental herd. They are also looking forward to working with their local re-seller Elders, Tamworth throughout the challenge.

With two rounds still to go, the Challenge remains open for applicants interested in winning the experience of a lifetime tailored to their professional development and farming system, plus 12 months’ worth of Multimin. Anyone interested should apply at www.multiminchallenge.com.
 

At the end of each of the four rounds, two challengers will go on to compete in the finals with the winner selected by a panel of expert judges. At the end of the Challenge, a national “People’s Choice” winner will also be chosen by the public from the eight finalists and awarded a further six-month supply of Multimin.

Challengers will then go into the running to win an overseas trip for two to the USA tailored to their professional development and farming system, plus a 12-month supply of Multimin. Second and third runners up will also receive six months of free Multimin.

Ends.

 

Media Enquiries:

Kyleen Partridge - C7EVEN COMMUNICATIONS

(02) 6766 4513

kyleen.partridge@c7even.com.au

 

Please note profile introductions of each challenger are also available. SUPPLIED PHOTO CAPTION: Tamworth, NSW Simmental breeders Jacqui and Jason Impey are ready to take on round two of the Multimin Performance Ready Challenge in the hope of increasing immunity, health, and productivity at their property.
 

About The Multimin Performance Ready Challenge

The 2020/2021 Multimin Performance Ready Challenge (MPRC) – a 12-month program that will see up to 75 Australian farmers experience firsthand the benefits of trace mineral management at high demand production times in sheep and cattle.
 

About Multimin

Virbac’s Multimin Injection is a trace mineral top-up that rapidly increases trace mineral levels in cattle and sheep for use during high demand periods. Providing selenium, copper, manganese, and zinc at strategic times of the production cycle has been shown to improve livestock health and fertility, thus optimising livestock productivity.