Author: Terri Anderson
Facing drought? Want to hear what others have done to get through?
When the El Niño of 2015 - 2016 saw much of New Zealand facing prolonged dryness, Cheviot farmer Andy Fox came up with some tips.
In 2018 Southland experienced unusual dryness. Beef + Lamb New Zealand's Olivia Ross, along with the Muster's Andy Thompson came up with a radio series based on Andy's tips, called: "What did the Fox say?"
Andy's Top 10 Tips
1) Don't sleep in. If you are tired go to bed earlier and get up at the same time. One hour in the morning is worth two at night. Get out of bed and get going.
2) Do something for others. This can be one of the most satisfying things you can do when you are under stress.
3) Pick up dead stock straight away and dispose of them out of sight.
4) Life is never fair. Get used to it!
5) What people think of you is none of your business. So don't worry about it
6) Don't be scared of success or failure. There is always an element of risk in any business, especially farming. “Failure is the opportunity to try again with more knowledge” Henry Ford.
7) If you think you can, and if you think you can't your probably right. Ref Henry Ford. In other words, attitude and application are critical.
8) Look after your staff, yourself. Without health you have very little.
9) Set goals short and long term, plus ideas/methods on goal achievement.
10) Never miss an opportunity to praise someone for something good they have done. Worker, family member, truck driver. It's just as much benefit to the giver as the receiver.