THE Isolated Children's Parents' Association has directly benefited to the tune of more than $14,000 through the sale of cattle nutrition blocks specifically designed for northern Australia.
Released by innovative animal nutrition company Four Season, the ZM blocks were named in honour of beef industry leader the late Zanda McDonald, who developed nutrition supplements while on the family's peninsula property Rutland Plains.
The Isolated Children's Parents' Association received 5 per cent of the sales to help support to the critical role in plays in rural education issues.
ICPA federal councillor Nikki Macqueen said the funding would help ensure ICPA was able to continue to lobby for educational access for students across Australia.
"We want to make sure even the most isolated students have access to the same educational opportunities as every other student," Ms Macqueen said.
"It is an incredibly generous gesture by Four Season and the McDonald family. It's just wonderful to see this support for the ICPA."
The 100kg blocks come in two forms:
- The ZM Breeder Block is a 20 per cent urea/mineral supplement specifically designed for cattle grazing dry feed.
- The ZM Weaner Block is a formulated supplement with 10pc bypass protein meal and 10pc urea for grass fed cattle.
The blocks were developed by Mr McDonald, who closely studied the requirements of cattle in northern Australia, particularly the nutritional deficiencies.
Working with Chick Olsson from Four Season, he tested the soil and grasses to develop an effective, cost efficient nutrition supplement.
Four Season manager Sam Stephens said the ZM blocks had been specifically designed for northern Australia and have been proven to perform.
"Nutrition plays such an critical role in livestock production," Mr Stephens said. "These block help deliver exactly what is required."
The ZM blocks are available from Four Season's Brisbane factory or Townsville warehouse as well as retail outlets.
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