Back in 2016 two great mates Alastair Nelson and Jack Tarrant identified an opportunity to establish a ruminant nutrition company, with a focus on balancing animals’ diet in what are predominantly grass-fed production systems.
Mark Dixon based in the Waikato shared this vision and jumped onboard with Al and Jack from day one.
Their expertise not only covers Dairy Cows, but Dairy Sheep, Dairy Goats, Beef Cattle and Horses - throughout all production phases of each animal.
“Right from day one, we instinctively knew what we wanted this business to be about. What our 'why' was, and our purpose.”
Because of the guys' extensive knowledge around ruminant gut health and fermentation, the company began its days as ‘The Guts’ – but according to most, that didn’t sound too flash, and soon Ruminate became the official company name.
The reality was that in the early days, Alastair and Jack were flat out just getting things done. Introductions with farmers, analysing and developing diets and then physically making the required mineral blends themselves, in their mate’s farm shed. The only piece of kit they had was a trusty blue concrete mixer.
Ol' blue, back in the early days.
Astonishingly, they produced 38 Tonne of product in the first 4 months.
From there things snowballed. In 2017, the business upsized with a lease on a 50m2 shed, and the growing team of five staff produced 720 Tonne within 12 months. By 2020, the team had expanded to 10 staff members.
In 2018, leading NZ Vet Practice Franklin Vets recognised the the potential for vets to play a role in assisting clients with nutrition and bought into the Ruminate business.
Quickly Ruminate outgrew the premises and in 2021 moved into a purpose-built factory (aka the mothership) in Awatoto, Napier. Production passed 2,000 Tonne a year and the Ruminate team was 15 strong.
A new production facility in Timaru was launched to assist with regional growth and streamline logistics throughout the country.
Cyclone Gabrielle wiped out the new Napier factory in 2023, but the resilient Ruminate team remained positive and resourceful to keep the business thriving.
By 2024, the team rebuilt and moved back in.
