Miraka hipi – Mā re ringa raupā ka pūpū ake, ka taea - Countdown is on for new PKW enterprise

It has been a challenging few months for any business trying to progress a building project, with well-publicised national shortages of construction materials, aworkers sick with COVID-19 and general disruption right along the supply chain.

But Shane Miles, Te Rau Whakahaumako/General Manager Ahuwhenua, says the new Miraka Hipi dairy shed and ewe barn are on track for completion.

“It’s a matter of having to, really, because lambing starts on 20 July and I can’t see the ewes holding on for us to catch up,” he laughs. “We have achieved a lot despite the challenges and are very much looking forward to getting into the production and operational stage of the project.”

Miraka Hipi (sheep dairying) has been growing in potential over the last few years in New Zealand and is now on the cusp of turning into big business, with PKW very much part of the evolution.

There is a growing awareness of the benefits of human consumption of sheep’s milk as it is more tolerable to the human digestive system, especially for babies.

PKW’s partnership with Spring Sheep Milk Co gives the organisation access to the knowledge and expertise it needs to set up a successful sheep dairying business, as well as a guaranteed buyer for the milk the PKW flock produces.

“The partnership has been integral to our development of the proposition,” says Shane. “The expertise and knowledge they bring, particularly in the operational sense at this stage, has been invaluable.”

Spring Sheep have focused on the genetics of the milking ewes in recent years, with average ewe production increasing year-on-year, with lactations being around nine months. The lambs too are a high value animal, particularly the ewe lambs which will be retained for future flock growth.

The dairy shed currently being built at Waitokorau, a PKW farm near Normanby, South Taranaki, is a rapid exit herringbone - very similar to the bovine milking system. Rapid exit means that the row of sheep can leave simultaneously once milked, instead of walking out in single file.

“This saves considerable time when you are milking a large flock twice a day,” says Shane.

The ewe barn will function as a facility to protect ewes in inclement weather, and as the lamb nursery, as the lambs are hand-reared.

“The lambs stay on Mum for a few days after being born to ensure they get the best start with colostrum before moving to the warm, safe, controlled environment of the barn,” explains Shane. “Because of their high value to the business, and our commitment to animal welfare, they will receive a lot of care from the team.”

The lambs receive a lamb replacement formula, and taught to feed from an automated system, before transitioning onto pellets through to weaning.

“The on-farm kaimahi will be integral to the success of our sheep milk operations, and we are looking forward to the team that has been recruited getting into their mahi,” says Shane.

“Recruitment has been another challenge because there isn’t a big pool of workers with ovine (sheep) milking experience in New Zealand, but we are pleased with the calibre of the people who have come forward to work with us.

“This is another opportunity Miraka Hipi presents to the Incorporation, the ability to train and develop whānau in this specialised industry as we follow our projected growth plan.

“As the industry grows in Aotearoa, the job prospects for the future will too, so it is a new career pathway that those interested can follow.”

PKW has a progression plan for this new business over the next 10 years, but the first stage is to cement operational excellence at Waitokorau. There will also be opportunity for others in Taranaki to look at sheep dairying as a business option for them going forward.

The kōrero behind PKW’s decision to diversify into miraka hipi has been underway for more than three years, with extensive risk profile analysis, financial modelling, industry research, potential partner engagement, market potential, opportunity for PKW whānau employment and return on asset analysis underpinning the strategic plan.

“Miraka Hipi gives us the ability to leverage alternative land use and expand our knowledge base, while remaining in alignment with our current skill set and strategic approach,” says Shane. “We are on the cusp of something really very exciting here and I am looking forward to the next few months as we take the big step into becoming an ovine milk producer.”