MAUI OWNED
Southern Cross® Breed
Southern Cross® Breed and its value
High Milk Yield
Bred specifically for dairy purposes, Southern Cross sheep produce a high volume of quality milk, making them ideal for commercial sheep milk production.
Adaptability to Free-Range Farming
Well-suited for New Zealand’s pasture-based farming system, they thrive in extensive, low-input grazing environments.
Strong Genetics and Hybrid Vigour
Developed through selective breeding, they exhibit excellent fertility, resilience, and overall robustness, ensuring consistent productivity.
Good Temperament and Manageability
Southern Cross sheep are known for their docile nature, making them easier to handle in large-scale farming operations.
Efficient Feed Conversion
They efficiently convert pasture into milk, supporting sustainable and cost-effective dairy farming.
High-Quality Milk Composition
Their milk has a well-balanced profile, rich in essential nutrients, making it ideal for high-value dairy products.
Southern Cross® Index and its Value
The Southern Cross Breed Index is a specialised genetic evaluation system designed to measure the performance, productivity, and economic value of the Southern Cross sheep breed.
Key Components of the Southern Cross Breed Index (SCBI):
Milk Yield & Composition:
• Measures total milk production per lactation.
• Evaluates fat and protein content, essential for high-value dairy products.
Fertility & Reproduction:
• Assesses lambing frequency and success rates.
• Ensures high reproductive efficiency, optimising herd productivity.
Health & Disease Resistance:
• Selects for strong immune systems, reducing the need for medical intervention.
• Improves resilience to common ovine diseases, enhancing long-term sustainability.
Longevity & Durability:
• Prioritises breeding longevity, reducing replacement costs.
• Ensures a strong skeletal structure and udder health, vital for extended productivity.
Feed Efficiency & Pasture Utilisation:
• Measures how efficiently the breed converts pasture into milk, supporting sustainable dairy farming.
• Reduces reliance on supplementary feeding, aligning with New Zealand’s free-range farming model.
By leveraging the Southern Cross Index, farmers can enhance herd performance, make informed breeding and management decisions, optimise production efficiency, ensure the long-term sustainability and profitability of sheep dairy farming and contribute to the growth of New Zealand’s sustainable sheep dairy sector.
SOUTHERN CROSS REGISTRATION
Maui manages the authorisation of using the Southern Cross® trademark. All verified partners who source Maui Sheep Milk and Sheep Milk Powder can use Southern Cross® with their marketing activities. Southern Cross® is seen as a quality assurance of sheep milk and sheep milk powder.
See how we achieved our Southern Cross® breed and the journey we took to get there.
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