By Roelof Bezuidenhout
City dwellers may think farmers have all the time in the world, free from traffic jams and long queues, able to do everything at their own pace and when it suits them. But there’s a saying that’s closer to the truth: The difference between a good farmer and a failed farmer is just one day. Sometimes, just one hour.
This means if you don’t act promptly and do what’s necessary when required, you can face significant financial losses. Not heeding a weather warning and failing to protect your livestock from a cold snap or potential flooding is just one example. Weather changes so quickly that trouble can strike before you’ve even finished your cup of coffee.
Or perhaps you took too long to prepare your soil or buy seed for the new season.
Dipping, dosing and vaccinating your herd before parasites or disease take hold is another example where urgency is crucial.
Failing to keep an eye on the market could mean missing a money-making opportunity that may not come around again soon.
Smaller things matter too – such as securing loose roof panels before a storm, or fixing a slow water leak before a dam runs dry. Farmers must stay alert and be on the move all the time; the farm doesn’t shut down when the sun sets.
Of course, some tasks are less urgent than others, and it may not matter so much if you’re a little late or delay them for a week. But it’s important to understand the potential consequences of your decisions.
And remember, there’s more to life than just work. Sometimes, it’s essential to take time off, even if it feels urgent to keep going.
A key factor for success
The importance of urgency in any business, big or small, is recognised as a key factor for success in today’s fast-changing world. If you’re in charge of a business, you must instil a sense of urgency in your workers too.
Urgency has been described as the essence of entrepreneurship. To quote from Forbes: “A sense of urgency is not about recklessness or hasty decisions; it’s a compass that leads to timely, focused and informed actions to navigate the uncertain seas of business. Urgency is what separates entrepreneurs who succeed from those who merely survive. It fuels innovation, speeds up decision-making and propels growth.”
To sum up: Some farming tasks are urgent – if they are not performed within a certain time frame, the opportunity is lost. Other tasks are important, and although the consequences of either completing or neglecting them can be significant, they may not require immediate action. The key is being prepared for sudden changes that could have you scrambling looking for your hat to catch up.
 | Roelof Bezuidenhout is a fourth-generation wool, mohair, mutton and game farmer and freelance journalist. Attended Free State University, majoring in animal husbandry and pasture science. Other interests include golf, photography and geology. |
