Fence repairs are clearly not my forte

The skills a dairy farmer – or family – needs are astounding when you start listing them:

• vet nurse/paramedic
• animal behaviouralist
• nutritionist
• mechanic
• chemist
• agronomist
• biologist
• environmentalist
• fencer
• machinery driver
• plumber
• electrical TA
• project manager
• accountant/book keeper
• trainer
• OHS officer
• human resources manager

Understandably, nobody’s good at all of these roles and some of us describe ourselves as a “tractor man” or a “cow lady” or “pasture supremo” or whatever takes their fancy. But, unfortunately, we all have to have a go at all of them. One thing I am not is a “fencing fellow” as the pic at the start of the post demonstrates. Our neighbour Rob can tie immaculate reef  knots..in barbed wire…but then he’s both a sailor and engineer!

Sometimes, doing a good job means bringing in specialist expertise and equipment, so I am not shy of engaging good contractors and consultants. Might seem expensive in the short term but there are good savings to be made with the right advice.

By the way, here’s a strange-looking “paddock Yeti” left behind by the flood.

Yeti in the gully