Meet our ZQ Growers: Brad Cavanagh
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Station Name Oxton Park
Wool type Merino
Standard ZQRX
Farm size 8094 hectares
Flock size 14,000 merino
Location Harden, NSW, Australia
Oxton Park sits on the southwest slopes of New South Wales, where the O'Connor family has farmed for more than 100 years. The 20,000-acre property at Harden is a mixed enterprise, with a purebred self-replacing Poll Merino flock at its centre. For Brad Cavanagh, Oxton Park Farm Manager, the connection between the farm and the garments made from their wool remains a source of pride.
“It gives us a lot of pride to go into a shop that we know sources wool through the ZQRX or the ZQ programme... knowing that that's where our merino wool goes, that’s pretty great for us.” - Brad Cavanagh, Oxton Park
That sense of connection motivates the team to keep improving the way they work with their animals, their land, and their community.
A Focus on Animal Welfare
Animal welfare is part of everyday operations at Oxton Park. The team has introduced an animal welfare officer in the shearing shed to support contractors and maintain high expectations throughout shearing.
“They're like a constant auditor of the shed all the time. The shearers know what is expected.”
Brad says the clarity and consistency this creates has helped everyone work to a higher standard.
Commitment to the ZQRX Standard
Joining the ZQRX program was a natural step for the business because of its breadth and rigour.
“We see that as the ultimate benchmark auditing program for animal health and production. It is not just based on animal health. It involves people, the community and the environment.”
This wider view aligns with how Oxton Park has always approached long-term sustainability.
Caring for the Land and the Community
Oxton Park continues to invest in environmental improvement. Tree plantings, landscape projects, and ongoing stewardship are all part of the work the team carries out each year. Supporting people is part of that same commitment. Work experience students, junior staff and new team members learn animal handling, land care and the family values that have shaped the property over generations.
“They all pick up on the family culture of what has been created here over many generations.” - Brad Cavanagh, Oxton Park
Brad Cavanagh, Jack O'Connor, Max O'Connor
Always Aiming Higher
Brad’s favourite part of the job reflects the mindset that drives Oxton Park forward.
“Constantly changing ourselves to be better than the year before.” - Brad Cavanagh, Oxton Park
That approach continues to shape the property and the contribution Oxton Park makes to the ZQ grower community.
Stay tuned for the rest of our ZQ Grower Series. You can also check out our first story in the series, featuring Andrew Sutherland from Ahuriri Downs Station here.