Valuable tool to guide us forward
Sarah and Basil McLean run Progress Valley Farm, farming 1187 ha near Tokanui in the Caitlins region.
The stock they run include Headwaters sheep, which are bred specifically for their unique fat constitution. Offspring are finished on chicory to produce premium Lumina Lamb, sold by a range of high-end retailers around the world.
As suppliers of Lumina Lamb, the McLeans need to have to a high level of sustainability through the New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme Plus (NZFAP+).
But beyond this, the couple are committed to continually improving their sustainability, including planting native vegetation on retired unproductive areas, and looking after the property’s existing bush areas and fresh water.
"We knew we were heading in the right direction on a basic level, but wanted more of a deep dive into what we could do to farm more sustainably. It was clear we needed guidance and knowledge which was industry based and personalised for our land and farming systems," says Sarah.
Basil and Sarah engaged Kieran McNaught from the Farm Sustainability team to work with them to create a farm environment plan and nutrient budget which covers the NZFAP+ gold requirements.
"Kieran made the whole process super easy, concise, accessible, transparent and easy to follow. From the initial on farm consultation to the finished product, he helped us realise we could obtain a highly sustainable farming system. Kieran's knowledge was and has been invaluable. The finished product has been and will continue to be a valuable tool to help guide us forward, supporting us with our ongoing sustainability journey."
Interested in finding out more?
Our dedicated team is here to support you on your journey, get in touch with our Farm Sustainability team today. Find out more about our full range of services here.
Email: farm.sustainability@ballance.co.nz
Phone: 0800 222 090
