Adopt a sheep at Xmas

Forget the socks and jocks this Christmas because you can adopt a sheep in what’s believed to be the first business of its type in New Zealand.

My Kiwi Sheep is the brainchild of fifth generation North Canterbury farmer Scotty Bamford and marketer Greg Stubbings.

The pair have created a virtual platform that allows people from all over the world to watch as their little Lamborghini, Wooliam or Rambo roam Bamford’s hill country farm, which has been in the family since 1884.

The business model means clients can choose a merino sheep for adoption before naming it and follow its life cycle, including during the lambing season.

Clients can also choose to have the highly-prized fine wool spun into garments after seeing their adopted sheep shorn on a live social media feed, Bamford

Scotty Bamford is the cofounder of what’s believed to be New Zealand’s first international virtual adopt-a-sheep business.

said. During the scheme’s initial development, subscriptions will cost $89 per month or $849 yearly.

Clients will then be matched to a sheep from the Hurunui Hills farm flock and given online access to keep up with activities on farm, plus videos, livestreams and question and answer sessions with Bamford – the designated My Sheep shepherd.

Adoptee parents can pamper their sheep by buying treats including salt licks, sheep nuts and hay and can request a personal message to be read to the sheep. Bamford said the model was flexible to allow different requests.

‘‘The idea is to make it fun and entertaining.’’

After lambing, clients could also adopt their ‘‘grandlambs’’.

Initial trials with family and friends in Texas, Melbourne and Christchurch had proved successful as Bamford and Stubbings learned what clients might be interested in seeing on the farm.

The pair believed the Asian market would be their biggest customers, followed by North America and Australia.

Bamford had already diversified the 405-hectare family farm by starting a private touring business in 2018, but Covid-19 halted international tourists and encouraged him to think of other ideas.

Passionate about educating people about farming in New Zealand, Bamford has also erected an Eco Cabin that offers a luxury escape among the Hurunui hills.

Property diversification was important in a time when many farms were being sold for forestry blocks.

‘‘My brother and I don’t want to sell.

‘‘We want to create something that celebrates our parents success.’’