So, do farmers ever really retire?
Or, as in my neighbour Tony East’s case, do they make a wetland, writes
It is said that, in the country, your neighbours are one of your most important assets and, on a few occasions, I have had to call on my neighbours for assistance. My closest neighbour, Tony East, is starting to wind down from a busy life farming and is now happy just to have a few chooks and pigs to look after. At 81, he can still get on a hand piece, deal with his pigs, and split his firewood.
He is the kind of neighbour everyone wants, one who just drops off a bin of gum at your woodshed, leaves a pumpkin on your gatepost or lends you his tractor and wood splitter.
Being an agent for Dalgety Stud Stock Company was quite a prestigious occupation in the rural industry back in 1965, when Tony started his career. Meeting stud breeders and checking out their studs, all part of the job.
After 25 years in the industry, which saw Tony work in the Manawatu¯, Hawke’s Bay and Southland, he changed from the stock and station industry to become a farmer.
In 1989 he moved to Kotemaori in the Wairoa district, where he and his wife purchased a 232-hectare sheep and beef farm. He soon learned that his farm was more suitable and profitable for the fattening of Friesian bulls rather than Angus and he decided fewer sheep would be easier, so reduced his sheep numbers from 3000 down to 1200 ewes.
Not one for sitting back and just letting things happen, Tony also became chairman of Quality Roading and Services, chairman of the local Federated Farmers and was elected to the District Health Board.
After 20 years of farming, Tony and his wife sold their farm to an energy company, choosing a quieter life back in Hawke’s Bay which eventually included purchasing a couple hundred acres in the Tuki Tuki Valley to keep him busy.
Tony says: “The biggest change in farming over the past 50 years is that land has appreciated in value considerably, there are now better farmers and better advice available. Accumulated knowledge and progressive technology have improved productivity and profitability but, during that time, there has been some debilitating product prices and weather conditions.
“Improved genetics and better pasture management have increased crop yields, lambing percentages, and carcass weights considerably. With supplementary crops measured and managed more accurately, there has been a considerable increase in production.
“Technology has made a huge impact to business planning with computers, mobile phones and GPS becoming the norm. Better planning, measuring, assessing and reviewing are now so easily accessible.
“Unfortunately, new regulations from both central and local government have created new costs that will only increase without any obvious improvement in revenue.”
While some farmers might still use a pencil and notebook, most have all the info they need on their mobile phone. Even altering their irrigation system by a phone app has freed up time for farmers considerably.
Climate change and clean water have seen many farmers turning muddy dams into pristine wetland areas and planting out pockets of native flora to help encourage native birdlife back into the area.
Long gone are the thermoses farmers always used for a cuppa in the back paddock, farm hacks have been replaced by quads and side by sides and, while some changes have been noticeable, some activities have remained just the same, like the hard work and handpieces still being used for shearing.
They say farmers never retire … well maybe a few do. As for Tony, he has a wetland area that he will be working on and won’t be stopping any time soon. He wants to see all those native birds enjoying life on their small piece of paradise.