How we support you

We believe, if people are bound to the land as a place of cultural significance, identity, family and for food production, then they are bound to the sustainability and protection of that land by providing kaitiakitanga (guardianship).  In order to support this belief, we aim to create pathways of training for environmentally sustainable farming practices by:

• Identifying and building connections within communities
• Creating succession plans for future generations 
• Engaging and working with local iwi 
• Helping to strengthen rural communities as a whole 

Conversion support

Sharing knowledge and research are key components to ensure farmers transition successfully into sheep dairy.  While every conversion will operate differently depending on the geographical nature and size of the farm; stock water; irrigation requirements; stock units and whether the operation will be pasture-based or a hybrid farming system, one model will not fit all. Therefore, Sheep Milk New Zealand proposes providing a package with information and infrastructure to support farmers with their conversion.

• Kitset sheds and milking systems that can be installed on a certified concrete pad. This would provide a cost effective way to construct permanent buildings to accommodate the needs of a dairy milking sheep and the milking system
• Well-researched and confirmed industry list of preferred experts able to provide information from consent to different milking and farming systems  
• Development of best practice for the South Island sheep dairy industry
• Flock testing programme
• Environmental guardianship, animal well-being and product assurity through animal welfare, facility and land management standards
• Handbook on sheep milking in the South Island which features new and innovative ideas for improved farming practices. 
• Educational training and events
• Access to a stock ownership cooperative

This is an ambitious task, therefore to achieve this Sheep Milk New Zealand has started with the Strathclyde pilot farm to work toward achieving sheep dairy best practice through a framework for continuous improvement based on ethics and guidelines. This is only achievable by working together with leading and progressive farmers.