'Get those rams in the paddock!" That's the advice from Maui Milk general manager Peter Gatley to anyone contemplating converting to dairy sheep.
"The lowest-cost and lowest-risk part of a dairy sheep farm is breeding the animals. If farmers are interested, by putting some rams out this year they would have first cross hoggets to milk next year."
The recently converted multimillion-dollar Waikino Station, near Lake Taupo, hit the headlines recently when it launched a major investment in genetic improvement and farm system development fully funded by Chinese company Be Well Farm Group.
The launch attracted dozens of potential investors and distributors from overseas. It was followed by an open day attended by 300, including rural bankers and accountants.
Maui Milk is a joint venture between Be Well and the Waituhi Kuratau Trust. Be Well's president Chen Liang was present at the launch and confirmed longer-term plans included a processing plant to add value to the sheep milk.