Milking time for sheep!

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 270, 17 January 1989, Page 16

Milking time for sheep!

Sheep for wool, sheep for meat and now sheep for milk - that's the latest project at MAFTech's Levin Research Centre. One hundred and twenty Poll Dorset sheep are lining up for milking twice a day in what's thought to be the only commercial sized sheep milking operation in the country. Milking takes two people just over an hour, morning and night in the specially designed shed. The project started earlier this year and

despite initial problems with mastitis, is going well. Two flocks of Poll Dorset sheep are being used, one lambing in the autumn and the other in the spring. The Poll Dorset breed was selected for the project because it will naturally lamb in either the spring or autumn. MAFTech researchers are closely examining both the feasibility and economics of milking sheep. Currently the milking season for each flock runs for only sixteen weeks so

one of the main challenges is to extend it. Also the researchers will be starting a selection programme to improve the flock's milk production. In assessing the economics of the operation MAFTech are working closely with Kapiti Cheeses Ltd, a gourmet cheese production company based in Lindale near Paraparaumu. The milk is mainly being used to produce a deliciously flavoured brie cheese, although trials are also underway to produce

yoghurt and a blue cheese. If M AFT ech researchers can prove the feasibility of the. venture it could well be an opportunity for farmers wanting to break into a speciality market. While milking sheep may seem a little unusual in New Zealand, overseas - especially in Europe - it is a much more common phenomena. For example in France alone it is estimated that one million sheep are currently being milked.