Sheep Dairying
Milking sheep is far less common in the UK than in other parts of mainland Europe. But the small number of UK flocks involved in these enterprises are producing some sensational products – milk, cheese, yoghurt and ice cream – for retail, hospitality and export. Milking sheep is very different to rearing sheep for meat, due to the different genetics, infrastructure, nutrition and management involved. You can’t use the same breeds of sheep or the same diets, you need specialist equipment and housing (not least a milking parlour) and it’s a different skillset. Therefore, while sheep dairy farmers are often members of NSA, the main activity in this area is driven by the British Sheep Dairying Association. NSA encourages everyone to buy and enjoy British sheep milk products.