Paperwork adds to rural pressures

Published date01 December 2022
They had seen many technological changes in that time, and many more driven by paperwork

Stu Duncan said farming had become a lot more regulatory. The straight-talking farmer also sits on Central Otago District Council so was accustomed to reams of paperwork, but said it was challenging for all farmers.

As a result, administration had essentially become a full-time job, although it was shared by Graeme, his wife Alison, Stu and Lorraine.

‘‘That’s before you do the harder stuff — having to do your land and environment plans, your freshwater plans, your measuring and regulatory stuff.’’

‘‘It’s just about a specialist job now.’’

The farm ran beef and dairy cattle, sheep for meat and wool, and deer.

Budgeting and assessing profit had always been hard because supply and demand controlled prices, but farmers were increasingly buffeted by global winds.

‘‘Since Russia has invaded [Ukraine], energy prices ... have gone up hundreds of percent. That affects the household, that affects the processor and the producer.

‘‘We are further from the markets so we are more vulnerable.’’

Graeme and Stu Duncan said they...

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