Windy Ridge Farm has been producing "old school", glass-bottled, pasteurised full-cream milk from its rolling South Otago paddocks since 2017, but owner-operator Andrew Moir told the Otago Daily Times yesterday it was time for a change.
"It’s not been an easy decision to make because I’ve built this up from scratch, and we take pride in delivering a top-notch product for our customers. But it’s time to explore some other avenues."
The business would be sold as a going concern suiting "hands-on" dairying owners, complete with a full-time team of two bottling and delivering the milk to 75 outlets across Otago.
"That’s probably one of the things I’m most proud of, that we’ve built up that distribution network, allowing so many people to experience what good old-fashioned, locally produced bottled milk tastes like.
"People’s reactions make it special."
He was keen to ensure the business ended up in the "right hands".
The fact he was out milking on Christmas Day morning was a good illustration of the commitment required, he said.
"Christmas Day is just another day for dairy farmers. The cows don’t stop milking."
Rising at 5.30am, Mr Moir completed the first of two daily milks by about 7.30am, before heading for breakfast.
This year, he would have time to share a family Christmas in Mosgiel before returning for the afternoon milk at 5pm.
The 22 Kiwi-cross (Friesian X Jersey) cows produced about 500 litres of milk daily, off 26 hectares.
"It’s not a hard job with a small herd like this. We’ve had up to 80 at different times. But it’s a big commitment, because you want it to be the very best milk out there.
"I know exactly what’s in every bottle that leaves the farm."
Another subject of pride for the business was its commitment to sustainability.
Bottles were returned via sales outlets, sterilised and reused, he said.
"We’re just trying to stop a bit of the plastic in the world. Hopefully, we’ll get some interest from potential new owners who share those values."
Looking to the future, the 48-year-old said he had not been able to think much beyond transitioning the business through a successful sale at this stage, although "doing nothing at all" had a certain appeal.
Stepping away from lifelong dairy farming would come with mixed emotions, however.
"I love what I do so it’ll be a wrench."
