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Tuesday, January 25, 2011

the farmer and the floods.

We are back from country Victoria doing our little bit for the Victorian floods.

People ask me if the family are ok, is the house flooded? No, the house is not flooded, the family are 'fine', but they are crazy busy.

The problem with farms is they cover lots of space, hundreds and/or thousands of hectares.

They have animals, hundreds of them.

And fences, miles of them.

They grow crops, not for their own consumption, but for millions of hungry tums.

The problem with farms is there is only one farmer, and often one farmers wife and children.

When natural disaster strikes the work load goes a little looney.

Everything is urgent and needs to be done at once because mother nature can be an angry old cow.

Our farmers right now are working their bluey singlets to the threads.They need to save their stock, treat them for flies, spray for locusts, fix fences, ensure they don't get bogged and for many of them there is the added worry of dealing with the loss of income from crops.

They are also doing all this while being eaten alive by hundreds of mozzies and they are pretty much doing it alone.

Most of us can't shear a sheep or put up new fences, but as the townships try and get back on their feet you can be considerate tourists, visit the towns, support the local shops, drive carefully where fences are down and stock just may be taking a wander.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

6 comments:

  1. That is a great eyeopener and reminder about how tough the farmers are doing it out there. We all really do owe them something for all the hardwork they do to put food on all our tables. Thank you xx

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  2. Like most people, I was completely stunned and shocked by the drastic visual of the floods in towns and finally in Brisbane's CBD (where I lived a while ago) here in QLD. But from the start I have been wondering and worrying about the cattle and the farmers. I thought if so much surface is flooded, and wildlife dies, how come they hardly talk about the farms and their vaste spaces with roaming cows ?
    (I blogged about it too http://bit.ly/fzjHMq ).. I hope that rural areas and the farmers get as much help as the more urban areas, and you are very right, although some people might find it awkward, shopping and making holiday in those concerned regions is now essential for recovery too.
    all the best for your family ! x

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  3. thanks for your help !

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  4. Oh my, what a challenge. My prayers to all concerned.

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  5. My grandpa is a farmer back in the Philippines (lots of typhoons) so I know exactly how gruesome work is when disaster strikes. Good job Claire!

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  6. Glad you were safe, but I feel so badly for all those who weren't. Good on you for doing your bit to help. xo

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