Hi from New Zealand

[charlotte]

Hi

I am not making cheeses yet!!  I am in the research phase.  Our Dairy Shed should be operational next week so  hope to begin with the basics then.  We will be milking Friesian X cows.   It seems like it will be addictive and heaps of fun.

A little about where we are for the non NZers.  We live in the Waikato area south of about 1/2 way between Hamilton and Taupo.  It is an area that is predominately Dairy country, grows lots of green grass (well in a good/normal season) our cows are farmed outside all year round as the climate is reasonably mild ie no snow but we do get some heavy frosts.

I need to spend more hours going through this forum and picking up tips oh and becoming more and more confused as to what to start with

[Cheese Head]

Hi Charlotte, welcome, there are several members here in NZ.

Cheese making is very tough to master, especially when you can't apprentise from others and only have a book, thus this Website/Forum is so useful.

Most people here start with simple lactic acid cheese like Crem Cheese or Light Cream Cheese also called American Neufchatel in this forum, the cream or milk is held in a vat (many people use a stainless steel stockpot) and then hung in cheesecloth, simple. Then build on their knowledge, experience, and equpment from there. Also, if you are going big and wholesaling or retailing your cheese then you should many say you should concentrate on one or two cheeses with a specialty.

How much milk are you expecting and when do the cows arrive and how much of the milk are you expecting to use to make cheese? Also, have you bought any cheese making equipment and ingredients yet?

Lastly, if you have any spare time now, I suggest you buy some milk (or preferably raw from neighbor dairies) and start practicing making cheese now.

Don't forget to have fun.

[FarmerJd]

Welcome to the forum. How many cows do you have and what are they crossed with? This forum is the ultimate resource for practical home cheesemaking. Good luck.

[charlotte]

We will hopefully be milking here in about 1 weeks time.  The shed builders/fitters are taking their time.  We are refitting and old cow shed that was already on the farm.  It is a 10 aside herrringbone.  The cows are calving here and then being trucked to the neighbours to be milked he is even looking after the calves.

We have 80 something at the moment and are going to see how it goes but hoping to build up to 120.  They are mostly Friesian but some have about 1/4 Jersey.  My sons pure Jersey Ag Day calf will join the herd next season.

For NZ this is a very small herd size, but this is not our only income from the property it will suppliment the income.  Raising beef which was what we did with the majority of the property was not really that profitable, there is hopfully more money in milk,

[9mmruger]

Welcome from Michigan.  Good luck and keep is up to date. 

[DeejayDebi]

Welcome Charlotte. 
All of your confusion will be quickly washed away is a sea of golden whey before long - not to worry! For now just look around and ask questions when things are a bit unclear - everyone here is wonderful about sharing their priceless bits of knowledge.

[FRANCOIS]

There is more money in dairy but watchout.  As you probably know the payout is being reviewed again, it may drop for next quarter.  Fonterra is reviewing their previous targets of $8 +this year.  Might be that double dip recession....

[ancksunamun]

Welcome from another Kiwi Cheesemaker.

You have found a hobby that is so enjoyable, and likewise, a forum that is super helpful! I have already had a number of questions answered brilliantly by the resident experts here and know a lot more about cheesemaking in a short time since being a member.

Enjoy the research phase but also get in and give it a go as soon as you are ready. It's great to read up but a LOT of learning in the doing and actually experiencing the process.

[charlotte]

There is more money in dairy but watchout.  As you probably know the payout is being reviewed again, it may drop for next quarter.  Fonterra is reviewing their previous targets of $8 +this year.  Might be that double dip recession....

We are not supplying Fontera, we are going to OCC.