Chesterfield, Missouri – Animal nutrition manufacturer Manna Pro is reaching out to lifestyle farmers this spring with a series of educational webinars and a Cutest Baby Photo Contest to celebrate the joys and challenges of newborn animals. The webinars, which take place on the next three Tuesdays, address key topics in animal nutrition for both mothers and babies during the first months of life. The photo contest, which runs through May 31, encourages farmers across the country to share their favorite photos of the animals they are raising this spring.
Manna Pro produces high-quality animal nutrition and care products for a broad range of animals. Its largest group of products is geared to horses, but the company also produces feed for goats, chickens, cows, pigs, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs and birds. Manna Pro’s product lines primarily serve the “lifestyle farmer” market – people who own acreage with farm animals, and operate their farms as a hobby rather than a business.
Jennifer Hojnacki, marketing director for Manna Pro, says the company recognizes that caring for and feeding farm animals are activities enjoyed by the whole family. “Lifestyle farmers consider their animals to be more like pets or family members than just livestock,” she says. “They want to know as much as possible about keeping their animals healthy, and they are like proud ‘parents’ when their animals have new babies. The Baby Your Babies promotion gives them a way to learn about important nutrition issues – and also a way to share their new arrivals with the larger farming community.”
The series of free webinars will be conducted by Dr. Rob McCoy, Manna Pro’s vice president of nutrition. The first webinar is set for February 9 and will focus on the topic of Preparing for Newborn Animals. The second webinar will be held Tuesday, February 16, and will address Feeding Milk Replacers… Why, When and How. The final webinar will be Tuesday, February 23, and will cover Transitioning to Dry Feed.
Each 30-minute webinar will begin at 4:30 p.m. CST. People who wish to participate in any or all of the webinars may sign up online by visiting the website and clicking on the link for the webinar(s) they are interested in. Web site participants will receive a $5 coupon good for Manna Pro products for each webinar they attend.
Whether you are getting ready to welcome new foals, calves, pigs, goat kids, lambs, or any other baby animals this spring, there is a lot to do to make sure your barn is ready for their arrival. In the first free webinar on Tuesday, February 9, McCoy will cover the key steps you can take to minimize the stress of delivery and ensure you have everything you might need on hand to be prepared for any situation with your newborn animals. Whether this is your first baby or you have been raising young animals for many years, you will find this brief presentation informative, and you will have the opportunity to ask McCoy any questions you might have about the upcoming baby animal season. Attend this webinar if you have: foals, calves, pigs, goat kids, lambs, or young poultry.
Sometimes even with the most careful preparation your newborn animals will need some extra help to get off to a healthy start. Colostrum supplements, milk replacers and electrolytes can play an important role in your success this spring. Be prepared for any situation by attending the second 30-minute webinar, Tuesday, February 16. Whether this is your first baby or you have been raising young animals for many years, you will find this presentation informative and you will have the opportunity to ask the presenters any questions you might have about why, when, and how to feed milk replacers. Attend this webinar if you have: calves, foals, pigs, goat kids, or lambs.
Your babies will grow up fast, and before you know it, it will be time for weaning and the transition to dry feed. Be prepared for this potentially stressful time for your animals by attending the third free webinar on Tuesday, February 23. During the session, McCoy will discuss the appropriate timing for weaning, types of dry feed available, and other steps you will want to take to make sure your babies have a successful transition this spring. Whether this is your first baby or you have been raising young animals for many years, you will find this presentation informative and you will have the opportunity to ask McCoy any questions you might have about why, when, and how to transition to dry feed. Attend this webinar if you have: calves, foals, pigs, goat kids, or lambs.
“These three topics represent the hallmarks of the spring season for lifestyle farmers,” McCoy says. “Preparing for new animals, ensuring their health during the important first months, and then transitioning them to a healthy and sustainable dry feed regimen once they are weaned. We hope many of our customers will be able to participate in all three webinars.”
The Cutest Baby Photo Contest will honor three winners in each of six categories with $100 “Country Cutie” cash awards. The six entry categories are: foals; kids; calves; lambs; chicks; and other livestock. In addition, one Grand Prize winner will received $1,000 cash plus a feature on the Manna Pro website during the month of July. Manna Pro must receive all entries via mail or e-mail by May 31. Everyone who enters a photo will receive a free magnetic photo frame, and complete entry rules and instructions can be found at the website.
Manna Pro has long been a trusted name in the animal nutrition industry. Respected products – including the company’s signature brand, Calf-Manna®, the Super Horse® line of feeds, and Apple Wafers – have been used by discriminating horse owners for decades. For more information about Manna Pro or any of the fine products it manufactures, please visit the website.
