This time last year Edo and Anita Mooij thought new regulations would close their business - but it has survived and thrived despite new expense and some painful decisions.
Nearly three years ago they bought 18ha of land in the Okoia Valley near Whanganui, with the aim of keeping cows and selling unpasteurised milk direct to the public. There were no regulations around it then.
But on March 1 last year the Ministry for Primary Industries brought in stringent new rules to make sure the milk was safe for all users. Two other raw milk businesses in the region had to close - Chananel Farm near Marybank and Rudolf and Carlie van Dijk of Village Milk near Marton.
Supplying some of their customers has helped the Mooijs' business. But they are also paying off the $15,000 of new equipment they needed to comply with the regulations, and they had to replace some favourite cows.
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