Crikey, is this summer or what?
We have had nearly 100 mm rain past few weeks at Pirinoa, and the kids have hardly used the pool, unheard of? However, we are a lot better off than the disasters further north. Here, it has been great for the grass and animal feed crops, with less need for irrigation. But for cash crops, fruit and veggies etc must be a nightmare. Some early barley and pea crops suffering from too much moisture during ripening stage. But, I believe February is going to be more settled?
Great to see strong wool prices lifting 3o% the past year, hope that’s enough to make it pay? And dairy returns looked like dropping a $ but has rebounded a little, maybe $9 plus per kg milk solids? Interesting to see also that new farm forestry plantings is down dramatically. Partly due to Government policy and the subsequent halving of carbon credits from $65/ton to $32/ton. Hopefully this means also that trees are not just planted for credits alone but for productive logs.
A very pertinent point was raised, I thought, at a recent district farewell to our dear Alister and Jaqui Sutherland. That is, the community spirit, which Pirinoa, and like communities have in spades. It’s not just what you put into it, but the enjoyment you get back from living in that community. We are lucky to have a school, a store, a tennis club, a rugby club, a netball club, a coffee shop, a hall and a nearby hotel, but it also has great people input to make it this way.
We also have a hard working young lady locally that does vegetable boxes, grown no dig and organic. She has produce for sale. Alex also has a workshop on her business on February 22, 1.30pm at Te Rata rd(about 2km down) Contact Alexandra 0224751146 or the link at wearelittlefarms.com, if interested in the workshop or purchasing a vege box. Country Calender has recently filmed Alex`s operation and it will be shown sometime in April.
As Crowded House sang, “whatever the weather, enjoy the rest of summer!”
