Rural Trader Blogs

Perhaps a Computer isn't a Bad Thing

There are plenty of old school farmers around – my old man for one. If he ever used a computer I would get a mohawk and a tan and call myself Mr-T. 

When your farm is substantially bigger, using a computer, or having some tech savvy people on your staff becomes a lot more of a necessity.

Not surprisingly, Allan Crafar doesn't use computers. So what you say? Well, when you become the Rupert Murdoch of New Zealand dairying, it makes a lot of sense to structure that business with some sound accounting principles and good management. Today, that means using technology. 

About $200 million in debt later, the Crafar family is not in good shape and Allan is staying put on his Waikato farm – more than a week after he was asked to vacate the property by receivers KordaMentha. 

In the media he seems fairly jovial about the situation, though it seems he will be at a loss as to what to do after his dairying career. It's a sad situation to be fair. I wrote a fairly damning piece a few months back about Crafar and some of the misdemeanours that have been perpetrated on his properties. Effluent and animal neglect cases are not pleasant eventualities. However, I do feel sorry for the guy – he clearly loves farming and won't like to leave the industry so unceremoniously. 

I wish Allan and his family well – the situation playing out in the media spotlight can't be easy and losing everything they worked for would be heartbreaking. I hope Allen and his family keep their chins up as Chinese interests circle his properties like sharks.