The Family have developed a New Zealand inspired management system that ensures maximum output from low input, while maintaining high standards across the business.
Viewfield Farm near Castle Douglas is owned and farmed by the Maxwell family Marcus, Kate and son Murphy. The farm comprises of 2,500 acres of mixed land. Running 2,500 breeding ewes, 1,400 hoggets and 100 Luing cattle.
Inspired by the farming philosophies Marcus and his wife Kate, a kiwi, had experienced during their time living and working in New Zealand, they decided to implement an innovative, low-input NZ sheep system in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway. The overriding aim of the family business is to run profitably and with this in mind, they have developed a New Zealand inspired management system that ensures maximum output from low input, while maintaining high standards across the business.
In 2023, Murphy, who runs most of the sheep enterprise decided to run a trial to compare how snacker feeding with Norvite’s Ewe Snacker 18 Blend compared to feeding their normal compound. Ewes were split into two groups and fed either the conventional compound or alternatively the Norvite Snacker Blend.
Looking at the results of how the ewes and lambs performed Murphy said:
“Although we were initially cautious about snacking with a blend, this has been the best lambing we have ever had. The ewes lambed in excellent condition, were full of milk and the lambs just spring for fun, so the ALpHA Easi-Lamber minerals in the blend definitely make a difference”, said Murphy, “Since tailing, the lambs from ewes fed Ewe Snacker 18 are also significantly 2-3kg heavier than those from the compound-fed ewes. I think it is safe to say that we have been very impressed with the blend, and we have already decided that we will be using it across the entire flock this year”
Incorporating only raw materials that you know and trust and built around the power of ALpHA barley, the nutty Ewe Snacker 18 Blend provides a powerful, premium and economic alternative to snacking with conventional compounds at grass. The results speak for themselves.
