They had to rush to hire and buy generators to run milking machines, and in some cases to pump water for stock.
Storms of this nature are not uncommon in an island like New Zealand. Taranaki was hit last year by high winds that blew down trees, cut power and damaged farm infrastructure, disrupting power to some farms for a week and more.
Eighteen months ago there was massive publicity, including in this newspaper, about farmers getting caught without power generators. To their credit, many in Taranaki have now bought generators or done deals to share them with neighbours.
Yes, it’s costly, but so what? How about when people buy boats but fail to buy the necessary safety gear?
Most businesses have, or should have, a ‘business continuity plan’, so that in the event of a disaster they have a practical plan and back-up hardware that allows them to keep operating until normal service is resumed.
Dairy farmers have huge money invested in stock, plant and infrastructure, yet many risk it all by doing without a generator. Common sense suggests they need to change their thinking.
Remember the saying ‘God helps those who help themselves’? That could well apply to these farmers.
The cost of risking not being able to milk cows, water them and/or spread their effluent is high. To expect others to help is a bit rich. It’s no different from owning an uninsured house then expecting the state to provide when things go pear-shaped.
