There’s always something to do this frantic February

Iam not sure if it’s best to describe February as frantic or fantastic, because it’s both. Maybe it just seems somewhat more frantic than usual, with what has been one of the best summers, weather wise, in the south for many a year.

That is unless, of course, you are farming the land.

I don’t think I can recall Southland ever being as dry, with much of the landscape resembling New South Wales, rather than New Zealand.

The dry will result in challenges during the next few months, and while the storms of recent winters have produced some dramatic and graphic images, this weather has the potential to have a challenging

February is event month in the south, as everyone tries to cash in on the stunning weather, and 2012 appears to have hit new highs in terms of the choices people have. In fact, on several days, the choice is just too difficult to make.

and long-term effect on how farmers manage, and I wish them all the best.

Of course, February is event month in the south, as everyone tries to cash in on the good weather, and 2012 appears to have hit new highs in terms of the choices people have.

In fact, on several days, the choice is too difficult to make.

The biannual Southern Field Days at Waimumu have again proven to be a real success, with thousands steaming through the gates to witness what must be one of the best display of agricultural equipment in the country.

While the target audience is the agricultural sector, it is equally as valuable for the wider community as a window into what modern farming is all about.

It affords challenges and opportunities, but most of all, it presents graphically to me just how complex a business farming has become.

The young farmers’ operation that pulls it all together deserves recognition for their efforts. Many of the full-time event organisers around the country would struggle to turn on a show like this, and I guess that illustrates the depth of talent we have in this part of the world. Mark Dillon and his team can be justly proud of their efforts.

On the events theme, if you’re looking for something to do today, Gore is where it’s all happening.

While I am loath to name them – I am bound to miss some – events such as the Moonshine Trail, the Hokonui Auto Muster, the Southern Shears and the Mandeville Fly in are all on offer, and I can say with certainty that there is something for everyone. You won’t be disappointed.

On a local government front, February becomes somewhat frantic too, as we all strive to assemble into one document our best guess of what the challenges of the next 10 years might bring, and most important, what that is likely to cost.

The long-term planning process required of local government has been described as many things.

Some are printable and some are not, but for me, and while far from perfect, it is a process that forces us to think very carefully about what the future may hold and how we as a community will respond to the challenges ahead, and that’s good.

It hasn’t always been that way. For us in the Gore District, this year is critical in planning terms and the very tight timeframes required by the long-term plan process provide somewhat of a challenge given the energy developments which have long been signalled.

The challenge is needing to plan for something that may or may not happen, but if it does need to be prepared.

What it may mean could result in Gore District needing to alter its plan outside of the normal timeframes and before the next scheduled review in 2015.

This is something we will be trying to avoid, but who knows what tomorrow may bring.

However, one thing you can be sure of is that if it’s February, then there is an event on in a place near you.