New TSR for West Coast Nelson and Tasman

When British-born Charlotte van der Hulst decided to step away from contract milking she wanted a role where she could still have day-to-day contact with the dairy industry she loves.

She has found her perfect role at SealesWinslow 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 the West Coast. She says she loves the lifestyle the West Coast offers and the slightly smaller on average herd sizes.

“There is a really strong focus on the land and animal health here and a strong community in this part of the world that I have come to love,” says Charlotte.

Soon after she started the milking job, Charlotte discovered she loved cows and found herself at home in New Zealand’s dairy industry.

“I really like having contact with the animals. Cows are just sweet creatures and I enjoy being with them. I also love being outdoors,” says Charlotte. “Working in this role and this location is the perfect combination.”

Charlotte says she enjoys the SealesWinslow team culture and thrives on the animal nutrition side of farming she is exposed to in her role.

“I get to have the best of both worlds. No 5am starts but I am still on farms talking with farmers and dealing with cows,” says Charlotte.

“Cows are also incredibly complex animals. I love that we can change a cow’s outlook by changing her feed. She might be lacking a little bit of energy and so we can top that up.

“It doesn’t just make a difference to your milk production, it makes a difference to the whole cow whether she gets in calf again, produces at her optimum and is as healthy as she can be.”