About Us | Milligans Feeds

Who We Are

Our Story

Milligans has been part of Oamaru and North Otago since 1896, when the business began as a flour mill in Ngapara. What started as a simple milling operation has grown, through generations of hard work and dedication, into one of Australasia's most respected animal nutrition companies.

The Paton family have owned Milligans for more than 35 years, maintaining the values and hands-on commitment that have always defined the business. In 1990, Milligans launched its first calf milk replacer — a product now known as Milligans Classic CMR + Bovatec — marking the beginning of a new chapter in the company's history.

Today, Milligans Feeds is Australasia's largest privately owned milk replacer manufacturer, while remaining 100% New Zealand owned and operated. Our Oamaru plant, our people, and our research farm are all part of the same story that began in Ngapara over a century ago.

Our History

A Century of Dedication

From a flour mill in rural North Otago to Australasia's largest privately owned milk replacer manufacturer — here is how we got here.

1896

Ngapara Flour Mill Established

Milligans begins operations as a flour mill in Ngapara, North Otago — laying the foundation for more than a century of service to the region's farming community.

1980s

Grain-Based Animal Feeds Production Begins

Milligans expands into grain-based animal feeds, bringing nutritional expertise and local ingredient sourcing to the wider farming sector.

1990

First Calf Milk Replacer Launched

Milligans introduces its first calf milk replacer — now known as Milligans Classic CMR + Bovatec — a product that remains a cornerstone of the range to this day.

1990s–2000s

Range Expands to Lambs, Goats and Multi-Species

Growing demand across the New Zealand farming sector drives Milligans to extend its milk replacer range to cover lambs, goats, and a broad multi-species offering.

Today

Australasia's Largest Privately Owned Milk Replacer Manufacturer

Milligans Feeds now operates the highest-capacity milk replacer production facility in Australasia, supplying farmers across New Zealand and beyond — still 100% New Zealand owned and operated.

Our Operations

Our Facility

Our Oamaru plant is the highest-capacity milk replacer production facility in Australasia. Decades of continuous investment have built a facility designed for consistency, scale, and quality at every step.

Production Capacity

Australasia's highest-capacity milk replacer facility, continuously upgraded to meet growing demand without compromising on quality or consistency.

Warehousing & Stock

Largest stock holdings in the sector — ensuring reliable supply to every region across New Zealand, even during peak seasonal demand.

Distribution

Long-standing distribution partnerships across New Zealand ensure consistent, on-time delivery to farmers and retailers nationwide.

On-Site Laboratory

A purpose-built lab where every batch is tested against full specification before dispatch — so what leaves our facility meets the standard on the label.

Quality Assurance

Our Quality

Every Milligans product goes through multiple layers of assurance before it reaches a farmer's shed. Ingredients are sourced through established supplier relationships and assessed on intake. We have invested significantly in a purpose-built onsite laboratory block at our Oamaru site where every batch is tested. Internal testing is also independently verified by external accredited laboratories.

This layered approach to quality means that every bag of Milligans product carries the same assurance — from the raw material at the gate to the finished product on the shelf.

Premium Ingredient Sourcing
All ingredients are sourced through established supplier relationships and assessed for quality on intake before entering production.

Full Batch Records
Every batch produced at our Oamaru facility is fully documented and tested against specification in our purpose-built onsite laboratory.

Independent Lab Verification
Internal testing is independently verified by external accredited laboratories, providing an additional layer of assurance on every product.

On-Farm Research

Alperna Farm — Our Research Farm

Alperna Farm is owned and operated by Milligans family members on rolling country in North Otago. The farm runs 700 dairy cows, with all calves reared on Milligans products from birth.

New formulations are trialled on our own stock before they reach any shelf. We see the results in our own paddock first — which means that when a product goes to market, it has been proven where it counts most: on a real New Zealand farm, with real animals.

This direct connection between our production and the farm gives us a level of confidence in our products that no laboratory test alone can provide.

Alperna Farm — Milligans Feeds research farm in North Otago

The People

Our Team

The Milligans team brings decades of combined experience to everything we do — from production and procurement through to on-farm support and export. These are the people behind the products.

Joseph Paton

Managing Director, Milligans Feeds

Based in Oamaru, Joseph has led Milligans Feeds for 12 years, overseeing ingredient procurement, production, formulation, key accounts, domestic sales, and the export division. His hands-on involvement across every area of the business reflects the family ownership that defines Milligans.

Glen McKay

North Island Regional Manager

Glen has been the face of Milligans in the North Island for 20 years, operating out of our Auckland distribution centre. His relationships with farmers, distributors, and retailers across the North Island are a cornerstone of the Milligans network.

Our Nutritionists

Alun Faulkner

Nutritionist, Nutritech International Ltd

Alun has been involved with Milligans Feeds for over 18 years, working across both our calf milk replacer and feedmill product specifications. His practical knowledge of ruminant nutrition and animal performance underpins much of what makes the Milligans range effective.

Dr Julian Waters

Independent Consultant Nutritionist

Julian holds both an MSc and a PhD in Ruminant Nutrition, and has been involved in the New Zealand animal feed industry for 35 years. His independent perspective and depth of expertise provide an important layer of scientific rigour to our formulation process.

Our Difference

Why Milligans?

So with all of that — the history, the facility, the farm, the team — why does it matter to you?

At the end of the day, there are a lot of products on the market and choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. There are cheaper options. There are imported options. There are products with impressive labels and little substance behind them.

What we've built over the years means you don't have to figure it out alone. When you use a Milligans product, you're backed by more than 130 years of New Zealand farming history, a production facility that sets the standard for Australasia, a research farm where we test on our own animals, and a team of people who have spent their careers in this industry.

We're not a multinational. We're not owned by a feed conglomerate. We're a New Zealand family business, and we intend to remain one. Every decision we make is made with that in mind — and with the New Zealand farmer in mind.

If you want a product you can trust, made by people who understand what's at stake, we'd like to earn your business.

Browse Our Products →

Giving Back

Our Community

Milligans Feeds is proud to support the communities that support us. As a business rooted in Oamaru and North Otago for more than 130 years, we have a genuine connection to this region — and a genuine responsibility to contribute to it.

Each year, Milligans provides sponsorship to a range of local organisations, including schools, sports clubs, and community charities across North Otago and beyond. We believe that a thriving farming community and a thriving local community go hand in hand, and we are committed to playing our part in both.

If your organisation is seeking sponsorship or support, we welcome your application. Please download and complete the form below and return it to us for consideration.

Sponsorship & Donation Application Form

Download the current PDF form for sponsorship and donation applications.