Otago Fresh Milk

08/09/2026

We've had a bit of a slow down in the maternity paddock recently, until Anya welcomed her beautiful baby boy this morning.
Isn't he gorgeous?!

05/09/2026

As well as taking the show team to Palmerston & Waihemo A&P show every year, Shelli is on the show committee and like many other local businesses, we sponsor the show too.

We are devastated to hear that someone decided they needed the beautiful sheep pen gates more than the community did, and helped themselves not just to the custom made gates, but the hinges as well!

If you saw anything or know anything that can help the committee get these gates returned, they would love to hear from you!

Our hard-working volunteers were devastated to discover that some of our sheep pen gates are missing from the Showgrounds. ⚠️

The gates were recently custom built for use at our show and have now been missing for a couple of weeks. They were removed from their posts using tools, so this was not simply a case of them being moved or misplaced. They are an important part of running our show, and replacing them creates an unnecessary cost and extra work for our volunteers.

Our showgrounds are an open public domain, with people regularly using the grounds for walking, running, exercising and other activities. Because of this, we’re hoping someone may have noticed something over the past few weeks without realising it was connected to the gates going missing.

If you have seen the gates, noticed anything unusual around the showgrounds, or have any information that may help us locate them, please get in touch with the committee.

We would be happy for the gates to simply be returned anonymously, with no questions asked. We would much rather have them back than see our volunteers face the cost and work of replacing them.

01/09/2026

Phew! What terrible weather we've had in the last couple of days!

Our blessing was that the only cows to calve in the horrid weather were big, strong cows who had big, healthy, strong bull calves, who were able to cope with the conditions with a little extra TLC.

Elspeth had a beautiful boy two nights ago, and Rosa had her big boy last night. Both boys had their first feed of colostrum from a bottle to ensure a quick and healthy start. Rosa's boy had a coat on to cope with that horrible wind last night. As you can see, we also moved both cows to better shelter at the bottom of the yard. All babies and mums are doing well now.

29/08/2026

Phew! It was a busy day in the maternity paddock today!

First, Lindi surprised us with a super fast delivery of her beautiful heifer calf. Hot on her heels, first time mum Pumpkin had a lovely red and white heifer. Then, to round out things coming in threes, Nadia had a lovely big bull calf.

On most farms, three calves in a day would be a slow day, but for our little herd this is very busy!

All mums and babies are well and enjoying the better weather.

18/08/2026

The oldest calves have had their time with mum and have come into the barn. They still get nice warm milk from mum twice a day though, and don't they love it?!
Got to love those happy wagging tails!

17/08/2026

First time mum Royale and her "mini-me" baby girl, born this morning.

Royale is proud as punch with her new baby, and who can blame her? Well done, Royale!

16/08/2026

Caught in the act!!

These three little reprobates were caught out, off exploring the paddock while their mommas were away getting milked.

Moments later, their mums were back, and the little adventurers were very quickly recalled!

15/08/2026

We had a wonderful day today with other members of RegenAg Otago, spinning yarns, digging holes and quite literally talking about "what came up".

It might not be everyone's idea of fun, going out in the rain to dig holes and look at roots and earthworms, but a great time was had today by all those who braved the awful weather. (You can tell by the looks on the heifers' faces that they thought we were all nuts!)

Many thanks must go to Anni for organising today, and especially to Agrisea, who offered a prize draw for some of their wonderful product to everyone who attended.

11/08/2026

And then there were 3!

Lotus Rosie and Roxanne have both hurried to catch on the trend and have their babies to keep Saki's baby girl company.

Lotus Rosie had a boy, and Roxanne had a girl, both red and white. Mums and bubs are all doing well.