WAIKINO STATION
Home of the Southern cross® Breed
HOME OF THE SOUTHERN CROSS® BREED
THE FIRST GLOBAL DEMONSTRATION FARM FOR DAIRY SHEEP
The world’s first dairy sheep demonstration farm, Waikino Station, located on the shores of Lake Taupo on the North Island of New Zealand, was established by Maui. Waikino Station covers approximately 770 hectares and houses about 6,000 “Southern Cross” dairy sheep. Maui has successfully bred high-yield, highly adaptable dairy sheep Southern Cross® through scientific grazing and advanced management systems. Moreover, Maui has established a unique, high-tech milking station, which has driven the development of the dairy sheep industry.
Functions and Values of the Demonstration Farm:
1. Production:
a. Sheep Milk Supply: Waikino Station acts as one of Maui’s supplier farm with breeding about 6,000 Southern Cross® dairy sheep.
b. Breeding hub for Southern Cross® Breed: Southern Cross® rams are bred on Waikino Station where ewes are performance tested and recorded in a commercial environment, and the best are selected as ‘ram mothers’.
2. Education and Training:
a. Knowledge Dissemination: Acts as an educational hub where farmers, workers, students, and researchers can learn best practices in dairy sheep farming, from animal health to milk production and processing.
b. Practical Demonstrations: Provides hands-on demonstrations of modern farming techniques, equipment use, and management practices.
3. Research and Innovation:
a. Experimental Ground: Serves as a site for experiments on new feeds, management strategies, breeding programs, and other innovations that can advance the industry.
b. Data Collection: Gathers data on production efficiency, animal health, genetics, and environmental impact, which is crucial for research and policy development.
c. Breed Improvement and Genetic Conservation: Engages in breed improvement programs for enhanced milk yield and quality.
Waikino Station, the dairy sheep demonstration farm, adds significant value by fostering innovation, promoting sustainable practices, educating stakeholders, influencing policy, and enhancing the economic viability of the dairy sheep sector.
Supplier Farm Partnership and Management
We have 14 independent sheep dairy farms that utilize our Southern Cross® genetics and exclusively supply Maui. All supplier farms are in Waikato area in New Zealand to utilise the location benefits. Each farm adheres to our Maui supplier’s handbook, which is updated annually to maintain our high standards of sheep milk quality.
ANIMAL WELFARE
WE’RE COMMITTED TO ANIMAL WELFARE
At Maui, we are committed to animal welfare. We pride ourselves on our happy, healthy Southern Cross® sheep. Maui and our supplier farms monitor our sheep breed regularly to ensure they are looked after in accordance with best animal husbandry and welfare practises and that all the 5
Domains of animal welfare are being adequately addressed.
1. Nutrition
– freedom from hunger or thirst
2. Environment
– freedom from discomfort
3. Health
– freedom from pain, injury, or disease
4. Behaviour
– freedom to express normal behaviour
5. Mental State
– freedom from fear and distress
Every season the milking flock must be checked by a veterinarian to observe the health and condition of the animals and confirm that they are fit for milking. A record of this visit, any recommendations made by the veterinarian and subsequent actions taken must be kept and stored.
Sheep Milk Science
Products
Copyright © 2024 Maui, All rights reserved. Powered by Spiritx.