Crikey, the weather gods have delivered again. Our little valley, the Whakatomotomo, has flooded badly again with much of the repair work on fences, culverts and pastures damaged again.
Our side road further up the valley is still closed a week after the flood. No wonder our neighbours are cranky. The frequency of flooding and the buildup of the river bed, like many minor rivers, require serious action to protect properties. We are building up internal banks on our properties to direct most of the water back to the river during flooding. We do not envisage regional councils doing the job 100%. Because roads are often affected in these extreme events, there is a strong case here under current proposed RMA reform to have all district councils and regional councils under one authority in the Wairarapa. One of the biggest problems of major remedial work on rivers, apart from the cost, is altering the natural river flow. With intensification of land use and population this is a necessary downside so long as damage to the natural environment is minimised or offset with plantings, wetlands etc which is already on the increase nationally, big time.
The increase in costs caused by these extreme weather events, the current fuel crisis and costs in general, are fortunately offset at present, in most farming sectors by good product prices. Gosh I can remember in my early sharemilking years, when my operating costs for the farm were around 40% of income. Now, operating costs are around 65% of income. That’s why we have to milk a lot more cows, damn it?
Tuhirangi rugby have had a couple of good wins to start the season, while the netball ladies have just started, albeit one team less. Must not let those winter blues creep in through lack of activity or the price of fuel. I see our Land Girl café has a pizza nite periodically over the quiet months, watch their noticeboard. Getting out on the electric bikes , if it’s a nice day, up to the coffee shop, or down to the Ferry is quite therapeutic, yes!
Have just finished the sweet corn harvest. Raised nearly $5K for Ukraine aid and fed a lot of locals mostly.
Have just finished the sweet corn harvest. Raised nearly $5K for Ukraine aid and fed a lot of locals mostly. Great fun selling on roadsides, markets and Pirinoa store. Many interesting conversations and contacts, thanks for your contributions.
