| 13 Focus on premium markets for everything While the McCleans already had sustainability front of mind with their farming practices they’ve now fine-tuned their operations. Virginia Wright RURAL PEOPLE » Burwood Station Burwood Station is 3800 hectares spread over three properties in the sprawling landscape to the southeast of Te Anau on the edge of Fiordland National Park. Chantal and Hamish McClean have been there for 20 years and see themselves not only as farmers but as caretakers of the land where they run 15,500 Headwaters ewes, 610 Earnscleugh composite cows and carry 4000 Headwaters ewe lambs. Being caretakers of the land for future generations goes hand in hand with their focus on premium markets for everything they produce. Burwood Station is one of the first farms in New Zealand to have been audited for, and accredited, NZFPA+ Gold, and is now in the fourth year of that more rigorous audit. The accreditation meets the increasing demand from international textile manufacturers to have detailed carbon data on the wool they’re buying, in this case through Woolworks, rather than broad sustainability statements. It’s expected to give them better access to new, premium markets. While the McCleans already had sustainability front of mind with their farming practices they’ve now fine-tuned their operations thanks to the detailed audit which looks closely at a number of environmental markers such as people management, biodiversity, pest control, greenhouse gas numbers and more. For the McCleans it means continuing to maintain best practice with things like being precise with their fertiliser use, and giving staff development opportunities, while adding an additional layer of testing and recording data. The resulting detailed, annual carbon inventory, outlining the emissions impact of their farming operations, is also useful when it comes to their premium meat product, Lumina Lamb. For over 10 years, around 95 farmers across New Zealand have supplied lambs to the Lumina market through Alliance Group, now part of the wider Dawn Meats network. It’s a market built on consistency, ensuring every customer experiences the same exceptional quality product from Lumina lamb,” says Hamish. “We only use Headwaters genetics. Every lamb is a ewe lamb or wether, EID-tagged, finished on chicory for a minimum of 35 days, and supplied within a specific weight range. That’s how we achieve consistency and ultimately command a premium in market.” “As farmers, we can sometimes become focused on producing more, but it’s just as important to understand what the market wants, it’s sales 101. When you have that connection right through to the chef and consumer, you’re producing with a clear purpose.” For Hamish one of the greatest strengths of the Headwaters ewe is their consistency. Across Burwood’s hill country lambing percentages typically range from 145 - 155%. Around 5,000 are finished on Burwood’s 100 hectares of chicory, while the remainder are sold to other Lumina farmers with the feed and capacity to finish them. Keeping those lambs within the program and creating an opportunity for both farms. “We’re not competing against each other,” Hamish says. “It’s a great thing to be part of and we want more farmers involved. The premium depends on how Lumina performs once it’s sold so when the product does well in the market that value comes back to us. We generally receive more than $20 per qualifying lamb, and this season we’re expecting around $25 on top of the Alliance schedule.” says Hamish. Burwood Station’s contribution was recognised when it was named Headwaters Breeder of the Year at the 2026 Headwaters Lumina Muster. For Hamish, however, the greater opportunity is what lies ahead. “We’ve proven there is international demand for a consistent, premium New Zealand lamb product. Now the opportunity is to bring more farmers into the programme, grow supply, and create more value throughout the entire value chain.” operations@boothag2008.co.nz www.boothag2008.co.nz Proud to Support Burwood Station FOR ALL YOUR HERBICIDE, FUNGICIDE & INSECTICIDE SPRAYING LIQUID FERTILISER & PROGIBB SPRAYING TABULA GPS GUIDANCE, SHEEP DIPPING SERVICING THE NORTHERN SOUTHLAND AREA TE ANAU (03) 249 5000 TIM JACKSON 027 889 3179 teanau.haulage@hwr.co.nz - BULK CARTAGE - - FERTILISER SPREADING - - STOCK CARTAGE - LUMINA DEMAND IS GROWING. WE’RE LOOKING FOR MORE FARMERS. COULDYOUR FLOCK DELIVER MORE VALUE? GENETICS CONNECT YOUR FLOCK TO EXPLORE THE OPPORTUNITY www.headwaters.net.nz
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