Furious George: Thinking outside the box

Alternative income streams are being advised by some economists as the dairy downturn continues to bite.

Farmers are facing a double-edged sword when it comes to decisions on the farm; attempting to minimise near-term losses while trying not to cut too deeply into the long-term productivity of their businesses.

The experts are saying the average dairy operation will have a cash flow shortfall through to at least mid-2017. Grim stuff no matter which way you look at it, but instead of sitting back and playing that most unproductive game of 'lament', some are upping the ante.

ANZ's latest Agri-Focus report says there's been massive growth in farm-related tourism activities built around the likes of the Otago Central Rail Trail. That's clever thinking from those who decided to jump on such opportunities afforded by ventures like the Rail Trail, this year officially named New Zealand's favourite place to cycle.

My thirteen-year-old son rode the Trail earlier this year and said it was the worst three days of his life, but he's a poor example and people do come from far and wide to put themselves through more than 150kms of cycling pleasure, occasionally glancing up at the magnificent landscape surrounding them. Reputation is everything and this is attracting it in spades.

And it could certainly enhance its reputation further by taking a leaf out of the book of that champion owner of the Plough Hotel in Rangiora, Mike Saunders, who's banned lycra-clad customers, mercifully sparing patrons the "bumps and bulges" often seen around Roslyn in Dunedin when Jamie Mackay "goes for a ride". (Despite the fact there are less bumps and bulges in certain areas than there should be). As Saunders so eloquently puts it, "there's enough sausages on their breakfast already".

Then there are extreme examples like Taranaki farmer James Langton. The former New Zealand cruiserweight champion is preparing for a rematch with former Warrior-turned-boxer Monty Betham, reiterating his mantra to media last week his motivation is to keep his farm above water.

The Opunake dairy farmer only took the sport up at age thirty-nine and after a rough start as a heavyweight won the NZNBF cruiserweight title before relinquishing it to Betham in a unanimous decision late last year after ten gruelling rounds.

Langton's obviously an athletic individual with natural sporting ability, as seventeen years of rugby would attest to. But his example and advice is applicable across the board. He's explained in recent times the benefits of any sort of exercise in times of struggle and to get away from the stress on farm, ala the Farmstrong Fit4Farming Cycle Tour. Boxing in this country is hardly lucrative, but Langton appears to be an advocate of doing everything he can to keep the family business going.

There are many people in the same boat, fighting literally and figuratively to stay afloat and with the Reserve Bank revealing total dairy debt stood at nearly $38 billion at June last year, we may all need to get out for a breath of fresh air.