Feed everywhere and barely a blade to eat
What lovely forage oats at the perfect stage to graze! But we can’t. The paddock is too mushy.
Since I took over management of the family farm in 2008, we’ve had a drought, a record price, an unprecedented milk price collapse, unheard-of grub infestation and now, a record-breaking wet season. Volatility in the extreme. Such an unpredictable environment weeds out rash risk-takers in the long term.
We’re seeing urban parallels while the world’s economies reel from one shock after another and the gold price soars as investors scurry for safety. Conservatism is suddenly universally in vogue.
The Milk Maid Marian 
And it will always be that way
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Marian,
Unfortunately I see some substantial rain headed your way from the West.
Tony (Perth)
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That must be a sight for sore eyes in WA though!
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Conservative farmers that’s an oxymoron in so many ways. Farming is a process of risk management. Choosing farming as a career is choosing to derive your income by managing risk. The debt to equity ratio of many farmers defines them as significant financial risk takers. So while farmers as a group may be conservative in many ways we are also huge risk takers.
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What a good point.
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I totally agree with hoddlecows. I would really like to know what today’s perception of “a farmer” is by the average, urban Australian. Do they understand the risks?
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