Feeding time for Marton firm

A Marton company has become the feed supplier for some of the country’s most colourful clientele.

Bruce Gordon Contracting, located north of Marton, supplies Auckland Zoo with hay and lucerne to feed a variety of their animals. Auckland Zoo is home to 135 species and more than 1400 animals.

Auckland Zoo was on the lookout for a new feed supplier earlier in the year. It approached Bruce Gordon Contracting in April and the two companies have been working together since.

The company sends feed up to the zoo on a bi-monthly basis. The hay and lucerne, which is sourced from Manawatu¯ and Canterbury farms, is used to feed the zoo’s Asian elephants, zebras, rhinos, giraffes and nyalas.

Feeding zoo animals is an uncommon venture for the company. It is more accustomed to supplying hay and baleage to mushroom farms and strawberry growers.

Joint operations manager Mike Hancock said the opportunity came as a bit of a surprise to the entire team.

The amount of feed sent up per month could vary, but Hancock estimated the company sent between 200 and 500 bales in each delivery.

‘‘They [the animals] chew through quite a bit, but Auckland Zoo are great to deal with,’’ he said.

Auckland Zoo houses some of the world’s most endangered species, so quality control is a top priority for it.

However, Hancock said the company’s safeguards were already vigorous, regardless of where its hay and baleage is ending up.

‘‘It’s basically the normal process for the feed. We just check to make sure it’s quality stuff.’’