Northumberland sheep farmer and shearing contractor Peter Milburn tells us how Natural
Stockcare products have been part of his family’s flock management for three decades.
Peter Milburn runs a 450-ewe commercial flock near Morpeth, Northumberland.
Peter Milburn farms a 450-ewe commercial flock near Morpeth, in upland Northumberland. Alongside running the flock, he works as a shearing contractor, spending a significant part of the summer away from his own land clipping other farmers’ sheep. It’s a demanding schedule — one that has shaped how he manages the flock at home.
“I’m on 450 commercial ewes. I’ve used Natural Stockcare products — the family’s been using them — for 30 years. As long as I can remember.”
Three decades of trust
Thirty years is a long time for any single brand to remain part of a flock’s programme. Products come and go, representatives change, new entrants come into the market with competing claims. For the Milburn family to have stayed with Natural Stockcare across three decades of lambings is a clear statement about how the products have performed on the ground.
“I’ve used Natural Stockcare — it’s got to be as long as I can remember. It’s going to be like 30 years.”
Cobalt deficiency
Cobalt B12 with Selenium is the cornerstone of Peter’s lamb programme. He starts early, and keeps the interval tight through the growing season.
“It’s a tremendous dose for young lambs, all the way through the growing season. From eight weeks old we’ll do some Cobalt B12, and then we’ll get dosed every four to six weeks after that.”
Peter is clear about why he sticks with it — he knows the lambs need it, and he knows the product delivers.
“I know the lambs need to be dosed. That’s why we use the Cobalt B12.”
Getting lambs through a check
Sheep Boost comes into the programme when lambs hit a stress point that would otherwise stall their growth — a change in weather, a move of ground, or the check that often follows weaning.
“Sheep Boost is a good dose. Especially when the lambs take that check. They’ll not get the drone — they’ll get loose of the check. The Sheep Boost has set them on their way.”
A matter of trust
For Peter, the real test of any product is whether it performs when he is not there to watch it. Shearing takes him away from his own farm for extended periods every summer, including long stretches in Scotland.
“We’ll clip a lot of sheep in the summer, with some away for two and a half months, travelling in Scotland. So I need a good product. I spend a lot of time away from the farm in the summer, shearing sheep, so it’s good that I can rely on the product. You dose the lambs with it, and you know you can go back.”
Three decades of experience with Natural Stockcare means he knows what he is getting, and he knows the lambs will still be thriving when he returns home.
“It’s a big element of trust.”
Value for money
After 30 years of use, Peter’s recommendation is straightforward.
“I’d recommend Natural Stockcare to other farmers, definitely. It’s a good product. It’s just what it says on the tin.”
For more information on any of Natural Stockcare’s products, please get in touch with our team or visit naturalstockcare.com.
