Machinery 'bug' becomes big business

Founder and owner of Matthews Agriculture Thomas Matthews with this seasons barley crop. PHOTO/ BEVAN CONLEY.

Emma Russell continues her new series charting the stories of former Whanganui students who have gone on to success in the big world

Former Whanganui High School student Thomas Matthews is the ultimate go-getter.
An idea that started when he got the "machinery bug" has been transformed into Matthews Agriculture, of which he is the founder and owner.

He established his successful planting, cultivation and grain harvesting business in 2015, while continuing to work for his parents, Bob and Cath Matthews, on their family farm and long-standing rose nursery.

Prior to launching his business, and initially unsure on the direct career path he would take, Mr Matthews fled to the United States for two years to work for a harvesting company.

"I got to see the scale of the farming they were doing over there and how they were utilising machinery," he said.

"American machinery is on a much larger scale to New Zealand."

Last year Matthews Agriculture - based just outside Whanganui off State Highway 3 - boomed after he started using fodder beet, a green feed crop.

"It is a specialised crop I was able to grow with a leased tractor and using the old man's planter," Mr Matthews said.

The business continues to grow but Mr Matthews said it wasn't all smooth sailing and there were always challenges.

A glimpse into the working life of Thomas Matthews harvesting barley in February. PHOTO/ SAMANTHA MATTHEWS

"In the next few years one of the biggest challenges will be getting trained staff with an up-to-date machinery tech knowledge.

"Every year machinery is getting more and more automatic and it can be tough finding guys that want to stick around."

The advice he would give current students contemplating a career in farming would be to advance in any computer skills.

"It is important to be able to work with the information, such as working a GPS and field map, plus it will help bring something extra to the table," he said.

Tom harvesting maize grain May. PHOTO/ SAMANTHA MATTHEWS

"Farming is becoming all about data and the way you use it."

For students considering a career in farming Mr Matthews recommends spending 10 minutes on Google to do a bit of research.

"Farming in recent years has been more advertised with dairy but there is so much more out there - start researching

"If you are seeking a fun and rewarding career - and if you like the outdoors - this may be the career for you."