Genetics helping breed the best farm working dogs
Soon farmers and working dog breeders will be able to have a dog that best suits their needs thanks to a team of researchers at Massey University.
The lock will be a brand ambassador for Virbac’s trace element Multimin.
Virbac says Barrett, although better known for his time spent within the painted lines of a 100 metre paddock, has the rural upbringing and farming background to make him the ideal brand ambassador.
Known for his 60+ test caps and leading role in his team’s domestic championship wins over the years, farming is in Barrett’s blood, hailing from a strong farming pedigree on the windy southern coast of Taranaki. As secondgeneration dairy farmers in the region, the Barrett family farm was converted into a dairy operation around 17 years ago. As well as occasionally pitching in on the farm when visiting home, Scott now has his own share in a 180ha dairy operation on the Taranaki coast.
As a leading professional athlete and farming enthusiast, Barrett says he’s dedicated to ensuring the highest performance from his team – both under the lights on the 100-metre field and his team of 420 cows on the fields of Taranaki.
Virbac is delighted and honoured that Scott has agreed to align himself with the Multimin brand, says Multimin product manager Katie Turner.
“Like Multimin, the formidable forward personifies the brand’s ‘performance ready’ positioning. With a leading mentality, Scott is a wellrespected and top performing New Zealander, proven to deliver results when representing his country at the highest of levels,” says Turner.
Multimin is a multimineral trace element injection for cattle, sheep and deer, trusted by vets and proven by local and international research, and the company says for close to 20 years it has been improving the performance of livestock across the country.
Containing a patented formulation of zinc, selenium, manganese and copper (as well as a formulation without copper, Multimin Copper Free), Virbac says it has been proven to enhance immunity and improve reproductive performance.
Barrett says growing up on a dairy farm, he always had an interest in the land and working with animals.
“This passion drew me to Lincoln University where I gained a Bachelor of Agriculture before my rugby career took off. I am excited to be partnering with Multimin, a brand who like me, is striving for high performance” says Barrett.
“We are very excited to have the opportunity to connect New Zealand vets and farmers alike with one of our nations sporting icons,” says Turner. In his role as brand ambassador Barrett will feature in a national media campaign and promotional events.
