2006 Horizons BFEA winners

Westview Farm partnership wins Supreme Award

Shane Carroll and Nicola Shadbolt run a farming partnership that has strengthened in all ways since its formation 19 years ago. The couple instigated the equity share enterprise to buy and farm Westview Farm, an 1100ha property north of Ashhurst, and admit to being pleasantly surprised at its long-term success.

Now, Shane and Nicola are responsible for a multi-faceted operation that includes 347 ha more land than the original area and covers forestry production and 16,000 stock units of sheep, beef, deer and dairy animals.

Shane can see the long-term view all partners have taken of the business as a great strength. 'Even though the other partners are urban professionals, not farmers, they have always strongly supported sustainability. The size and scope and diversification of our operation allows us to make long-term decisions and not just focus on short-term gains, and survival.”

"Whereas farming types would have been saying, great, lets go buy more sheep and some land for them, the partners all thought, hang on, we are overexposed here, let’s get into something else as well."

Westview Farm stretches from the floor of the valley through which the Pohangina River runs, right up to the boundary of the Ruahine State Forest Park.

Shane admits that his original perception of 'sustainable' farming has widened far beyond 'planting a few trees' since then. The direct advantage of this is obviously income, but being able to alter the sheep/cattle ratio has other implications like improving their ability to effectively manage internal parasite problems.

The partnership is involved with two dairy operations. One, owned outright, is within the boundaries of Westview Farm. It is 158 ha and the other dairy farm is nearby on 127 ha (plus 40 ha leased) milking 470 cows.

Westview Farm partnership also won the PPCS Best Livestock Farm Award, the Livestock Improvement Best Dairy Farm Award, and the Horizons Regional Council Award.

Other winners were:

Rabobank Land and Life Award
Chris Bird, Kimbolton

PGGWrightson Habitat Improvement Award
Michael Bourke, Rangiwahia

Gallagher Innovation Award
John and Donna Journeaux, Raetihi

Ballance Nutrient Management Award
Jeff and Janice Williams, Palmerston North