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Sheep dairies see success in Wisconsin

A dairy organization’s leader says not all dairy products start with the cows.

Karen Nielsen with the Sheep Dairying Association of Wisconsin says her state also has the most dairy sheep and dairy goats in the country. “We are growing some of our flocks. I think as far as the number of producers, that has remained fairly steady but we would like to attract more so we can grow the industry.”

Nielsen tells Brownfield demand is growing for sheep milk cheeses, which are commonly imported from Spain, Italy, and Portugal. “A lot of people don’t realize that we make those same cheeses here in Wisconsin, and we make many other varieties of sheep milk cheese that what you can even get from abroad.”

Nielsen says the handful of Wisconsin producers and processors are offering quality products, taking the top three places in sheep milk categories at the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest.