34 | nzdairy Genetic gain in sheep milk production ‘incredible’ Richard Loader “Many mixed age ewes are producing over four litres a day. The vision is to have our nucleus ock producing over 400 litres over a 210 day season in the next few years.” Since pioneering New Zealand’s exportation of whole milk sheep powder in 2015, Maui Milk has continued to focus on the genetic gain of its nucleus and supplier ocks, with many ewes now producing between 300 to 400 litres of milk each season. “The genetic gain has been incredible over a very short period, with many ewes producing less than a litre a few years back, to now 2.5 litres on average at peak milking,” says CEO Greg Hamill. “Many mixed age ewes are producing over four litres a day. The vision is to have our nucleus ock producing over 400 litres over a 210 day season in the next few years.” Maui Milk was born from the very simple belief that New Zealand pastural farming could create a more nutritious and more sustainable dairy product for the world. Initially using a mixture of milking ewes bred from existing genetics, Maui Milk commenced processing its sheep milk into powder at Waikato Innovation Park in Hamilton. Up until 2018 New Zealand had a very small genetic group of milking ewes that could be traced back to a small group of animals imported in 1992. “In 2015 the importation of new genetic material was not allowed by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI),” explains Greg. “However, quite by chance, our genetic team discovered there were seventeen hundred East Friesian embryos in storage in New Zealand, these were purchased and within a few weeks implanted into Highlander ewes.” In 2017 MPI approved the importation of new genetic material and Maui Milk began a relationship with Upra Lacaune, which still exists and is the foundation of Maui Milk’s Southern Cross ™ genetics. “Upra Lacaune has the biggest genetic gene pool for sheep in the world, and an intensive sire Ewes in the milking shed. Inset: Maui Milk CEO Greg Hamill. DAIRY PEOPLE » Maui Milk progeny test scheme. Without that, the rate of our genetic gain would be signi cantly diminished.” Nestling the fertile western shore of Lake Taupo, Waikino Station is home to Maui Milk’s nucleus ock. With the exception of Waikino Station, its own farm at Taupo, most of Maui Milk’s suppliers are based in the Waikato. “We currently run the breeding programme for our suppliers. That entails us identifying our elite ewes at Waikino Station through milk testing, arti cially inseminating them with Upra Lacaune genetics imported from France and creating our own replacement ewe lambs. “Any rams that meet all the conformation and production traits that we require are leased to our suppliers to use over their ocks. In 2020 four new supply farms began milking exclusively for Maui, eight in 2021, and in 2022 we welcomed one new supplier, bringing our supplier pool to fourteen.” In 2018 Maui Milk signed an agreement with Danone and now supplies half of its sheep milk powder for Danone’s Karicare Toddler Formula range. “Currently we’re mainly selling Whole Milk powder as an ingredient product for infant formula and nutritional drinks making us a Business to Business company. More recently we’ve developed our own Business to Consumer products, and are looking at other opportunities to optimise sales. China is currently our biggest export market but we’re also focusing on Korea, Malaysia, and Vietnam.” Totally Vets Taumarunui is proud to support Greg Hamill and Maui Milk by providing them with all aspects of animal health care taumarunui@totallyvets.co.nz www.totallyvets.co.nz 168 Hakiaha Street Taumarunui 07 895 8899
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