Sharemilking is a form of sharefarming

Sharefarming

Sharefarming is a system of farming in which sharefarmers make use of agricultural assets they do not own in return for some percentage of the profits. Sometimes the sharefarmer will receive a wage from the owner instead, although such a person is normally considered a tenant farmer or farm labourer...

 applied to the dairy industry. The application of this model of farming is particularly common in New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

. Typically sharemilkers own their own cows, and will often take the herd with them when shifting between properties. The model is not exploitative, and over time, sharemilkers often slowly buy out the landholder, or alternatively use it as a method to save for their own property.

This practice is useful for dairymen anywhere who do not wish the burdens of owning their own land, as it allows them to focus their investment in livestock

Livestock

Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...

 and equipment. The sharemilking also provides income for former dairy

Dairy

A dairy is a business enterprise established for the harvesting of animal milk—mostly from cows or goats, but also from buffalo, sheep, horses or camels —for human consumption. A dairy is typically located on a dedicated dairy farm or section of a multi-purpose farm that is concerned...

farms that have given up their herds, by providing them with an income from rental of fields, pastures and barns.