| 33 Diverse farming partnership thriving Sue Russell Three years have passed since Rural North last spoke with Matt Carroll, of sheep, beef, deer, dairy and forestry business, Westview Farming Partnership, located in the Pohangina Valley, near Palmerston North. Structured as an equity partnership back in 1987 by Matt’s parents Shane Carroll and Professor Nicola Shadbolt ONZM, since that conversation there have been changes to the equity partnership makeup and also the roles Matt undertakes. Westview Farming Partnerships’ journey of growth has been guided by a strong element of strategic planning, a strength, Matt says, of his mother, who lectures at Massey University. “In the 2025-26 budget, Westview’s income sources are 50% dairying, with the balance spread evenly between sheep, beef and deer.” Matt’s role has also changed, from assistant managing to stepping back somewhat from the day to day, returning to a consultancy role, with Baker Ag and focussing on steering the sheep, beef and deer businesses. “We’ve always focussed on finding solutions to create a sustainable future for the business that also benefit the environment, the stock and our shareholders. The ability to sense and adapt to constantly shifting market conditions is a strength of our entire operation. We’re also fortunate to have very good staff who are vested in the operation continuing to thrive. Our stock manager has been with us about 14 years now.” The entire operation is spread over several blocks of land, extending some 2117ha. In April this year a further 260 ha effective were brought into the footprint, creating the opportunity to lift ewe numbers slightly, and hind numbers significantly. “We turned the home deer unit into a velveting operation and run hinds for velvet and venison on the new property along with sheep and beef. Dairy cross calves are supplied from the dairy operations are reared through their first winter on the home block along with breeding ewes and beef cows. New investors are actively being sought to join the farming business says Matt. RURAL PEOPLE » Westview Farming Partnership “We are fortunate to have a lot of skill-sets that sit around our board table. New developments are formally proposed for approval and discussion.” The board are encouraging of us to bring potential improvements to the business to the table as long as they can be justified financially and operationally. We maintain a good team around us of vets, service providers, contractors and rural professionals. Its important to have them onside and working towards the same goals. A new velveting shed is currently being constructed. Matt says he’s been quite keen on deer and its good to see numbers increasing in this stock class. Previously the deer have been in lower numbers so the benefit of farming them was being restricted. The new changes have lifted deer stock units from 11 to 20% of total stock units on the sheep, beef and deer unit. “We had velveting stags back in the 1990’s and are now back into it. To have more breeding hinds and sell weaners store made sense with the current demand and prices in the north island. Matt says with three stock classes, the business is in a good position, to meet the ups and downs in changing market conditions by spreading the risk. “By spreading the risks across several stock classes we’re achieving our central goal of farming with sustainable income from the entire business long term. All our decisions revolve around this as a starting point.” P 06 323 0255 M 027 928 8630 W farmworxbikes.co.nz - On Farm Service - New and Used Sales - Fully Equipped Workshop Totally Vets, proudly supporting the Carroll family and Westview Farming Partnership by providing all aspects of animal health care. feilding@tvg.co.nz | www.totallyvets.co.nz Totally Vets Feilding 06 323 6161 Tony Bones W lson Bulk/General D spatcher 027 418 4170 03 307 8136 tony w lson@ryalbush co nz Yard 77 Maronan Rd Ashburton Stock Cartage — Local & Nationwide Bulk General Cartage Stock food Cartage Fertiliser Cartage, Spreading & GPS Application 06 323 0309 | tractors@trctractors.co.nz Charles 027 224 7678 | Logan 027 224 7679 | Lewis 027 224 0403 • Tractor & Machinery Sales • Side by Sides Westview’s income sources are 50% dairying, with the balance spread evenly between sheep, beef and deer.
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