Our award-winning research has helped New Zealand's dairy sheep industry establish the specific qualities and advantages of the country's sheep milk.  

Boosting the export of remarkable products

We concentrate on three areas of focus when conducting our research to support the diary sheep industry: producing, processing, and consuming.

The video below introduces how AgResearch partnered with the New Zealand dairy sheep industry to boost exports of their remarkable products.

Producing

Rearing our lambs, feeding our ewes and protecting the environment are key to future sustainability.

Our lamb rearing manual takes you through best practice approaches to maximize success and outlines techniques to manage effluent for environmental sustainability. 

Lamb Rearing Manual

Download (pdf 4.2 MB)

Processing

The unique properties of New Zealand's sheep milk requires special handling when being prepared for consumers. Developing techniques to create long-life products with great taste has been a major step forward in securing high value export products. 

Consuming

The unique properties of our sheep milk need special handling when getting it ready for consumers. Developing techniques to create long-life products with great taste has been a major step forward in securing high value export products. 

Meet the Team

Rear, L-R: Dr David Stevens (AgResearch), Dr Linda Samuelsson (AgResearch), Ala El-Din Bekhit (University of Otago), Dr Wayne Young (AgResearch), Tanya Soboleva (Ministry for Primary Industries), Milkes King (Kingsmeade Cheese), Janet King (Kingsmeade Cheese)

Font, L-R: Thomas Macdonald (Spring Sheep Milk Co.), Li Day (AgResearch), Dr Marita Broadhurst (AgResearch), Dr Sue McCoard (AgResearch), Peter Gatley (Maui Milk), Nick Hammond (Spring Sheep Milk Co.)

In 2019, the team involved in the sheep milk research project was recognised with the AgResearch Impact Award. This prize is awarded to the science that shows significant stakeholder/sector impact through technology transfer and sector practice change.

Key Projects

Our Research

Related People

Our People

Latest News

News

Get in touch with our team

Contact us

Send an email to one of our team or check out our facilities located across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Send another enquiry

Something went wrong and the form could not be submitted. Please try again later.