Cooperative Marketing of Sheep Milk

Cooperative Marketing of Sheep Milk

Summary

Considering the increasing demand for sheep milk products and the fact that some 60 million pounds of sheep milk cheese are imported to the U.S. each year, a significant opportunity exists for expansion of sheep dairying.

Objective: To secure dairy plant status for the Wisconsin Sheep Cooperative, obtain autonomy through marketing milk in cooperatively owned milk handling containers and establish accounting and records.

Methods: The co-op received a dairy plant license for two receiving stations, named and bonded a trustee, purchased pails and liners for milk shipment, developed a record keeping system, and conducted a market analysis.

Results: The goals of the co-op are being realized. The project has begun to build a market for sheep milk. The number of processors increased from one to four. An American Cheese Society trade show provided additional exposure, and the co-op hopes to ship milk to two new processors in 1999.

North Central Region SARE 1998 Annual Report.