According to Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, the government is strengthening its relationship with New Zealand’s dairy sheep business in order to help it increase its value and volume and establish itself as a primary industry.
“The premium alternative dairy segment is expanding by roughly 20 percent annually on a global scale. “Now is the moment to expand the business and tap into even greater value so we can continue growing our exports,” Damien O’Connor said. New Zealand food and fiber exports are predicted to reach a record $52 billion this year.
The government is supporting “Scale Up,” a new five-year cooperation program with Spring Sheep Milk Co. that aims to take the dairy sheep sector from the piloting phase through to an established primary industry, using its Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) fund.
The Government is supporting both established and emerging primary industries to promote our economic recovery. “New Zealand is in demand globally as our brand for sustainably produced food and fiber is emphasized through our connectivity work and active trade agenda.
By 2035, this industry might generate yearly export revenues of more than $750 million, which would be advantageous for our farmers and our financial stability.
The government recently announced funding of $700,000 for the Mori Agribusiness Sheep Milk Collective to support Mori landowners explore the potential of the sheep milk industry in the central North Island. The investment in “Scale Up” follows a successful six-year pilot program and complements that funding.
Through the Sheep – Horizon Three program, Spring Sheep Co. was instrumental in the dairy sheep industry’s significant six-year growth. In the Waikato, it now has 12 supply farms, creating new jobs and enhancing the local economy and communities.
The following phase will entail Parininihi ki Waitotara (PKW), a regional partner of Spring Sheep, extending into the Taranaki area. By the end of the program, the Taranaki region will have more than 10,000 dairy sheep, producing 750,000 kilos of milk solids yearly.
Consumer trends in macro-health and wellness are what drive global growth. This contains the current early life nutrition selection from Spring Sheep, which includes toddler milk drinks and specialty milk powders prepared from sheep milk.
To advance industry understanding of sheep milk and promote best practice standards throughout the industry, a variety of R&D initiatives are planned for Waikato, Canterbury, Taranaki, and Wairarapa.
To upskill the necessary staff to support this growth, a Dairy Sheep Industry Training Module will also be established. This work will be aided by investments made in new market development, genetic development, and the creation of new products that take advantage of the upcoming market opportunity for sheep milk.
The Fit for a Better World strategy for the food and fiber industry, which seeks to increase sustainability, productivity, and employment over a ten-year period, is closely associated with the “Scale Up” program.
The $19.94 million program run by Spring Sheep Co. will receive $7.97 million from the Ministry for Primary Industries’ SFF Futures fund.