On her family farm in County Cork, Hazell Mullins combines hands-on farming with the knowledge she built as a large animal vet. Healthy calves are the foundation of everything she does, and her dual perspective gives her a clear view of the challenges farmers face every spring, from ensuring consistent feeding to spotting early signs of illness. 

Beyond her own farm, Hazell is a well-known voice in Irish agriculture. In 2024, she served as President of Veterinary Ireland, a national representative body for veterinary professionals. That role reflects not only her clinical expertise, but also her commitment to supporting farmers and vets across the country, which is amplified by her aptly named Instagram account, VetOnTheMoove.

It's this blend of practical farming experience, professional leadership, and willingness to engage in the community that shaped Hazell's approach to calf rearing, and why the JFC Evolution Automatic Calf Feeder S2 has become such a vital part of her 60-cow spring calving herd. 

Accuracy That Builds Confidence

For Hazell, a key attraction of the feeder is accuracy. She knows exactly how much each calf is drinking and that consistency has transformed her approach. 

By delivering the same mix every day, the system removes the guesswork and gives her peace of mind. 

"I love the fact that (with) the consistency every day, I know that they're getting the same amount of powder, the same amount of litres, and that it's not up and down."

Smarter Monitoring for Calf Health

The feeder saves farmers time, but its benefits go far beyond just that. It also helps Hazell catch problems before they spread. With a simple traffic-light interface, she can spot potential illnesses early. 

"It also lets me know when a calf might be feeling a little bit off before they're kind of visibly sick...it's just super to get ahead of a scour or something that's coming on."

Combined with daily teat changes, the feeder has helped prevent outbreaks and keep calves healthier. 

Real Results on the Ground

Since adopting the automatic calf feeder, Hazell has noticed a big difference in both calf performance and the time she has available for other jobs. 

"It's just been a game changer for my calf rearing on the farm. It's something that has given me a lot more time."

The animals have thrived under consistent feeding. 

She was initially unsure how quickly they would adapt, but those concerns disappeared within a day. 

"They get so used to the feeder...24 hours and they're going up themselves."

Built for Everyday Farming

On a busy spring-calving farm, time and labour are always in short supply. Hazell points out that the automatic calf feeder is designed with those pressures in mind. The large hopper is quick to fill, and the automatic wash cycles mean cleaning is one less thing to worry about on a daily basis. 

"It's very easy to fill up the feeder and to clean" she explained. 

Hazell emphasizes how the system's clear visuals make it easy to monitor calf feeding and ensure all animals get their portion. There's no fighting for the teat, which is a common problem for farmers trying to produce even calves.

"The screen is very clear and I like the colour coding. I'm obsessed with the green ticks and making sure they're all drinking."

These features are what make the feeder part of an everyday routine and maintaining healthy calves without adding to the workload. 

The Impact of the JFC Evolution Automatic Calf Feeder

For Hazell, the biggest change has been confidence. Knowing every calf gets what it needs, consistency, easy cleaning, and health alerts have taken the stress out of feeding and improved results across the board. 

• Consistent feeding: Precise daily volumes for every calf. 

• Early intervention: Feeding curves can help highlight health issues before they worsen. 

• Time saving: More time freed up for other jobs on the farm. 

• Farmer-friendly: Easy cleaning, simple setup, and clear colour-coded interface.

Are you considering a move to Automatic Calf Feeding?

Contact our Team today!