A NZ Farmer Is Using The Drought As An Opportunity To Explore His True Passion For Sheep Art
Probably could have picked a better word though.
The region of North Canterbury in New Zealand’s South Island is suffering its worst drought in nearly 20 years. Their once iconically rich soil is now dry and arid and many farmers are losing thousands of dollars a week on extra feed for livestock.
It’s a devastating situation and one which Australians should have particular sympathy for; we’ve been floating around on a shrivelled-up potato skin for so long, the rest of the world are now asking our advice on how do deal with it. That is, everyone but NZ, who have this shit sorted.
This week, Kiwi sheep farmer Mike Bowler has been making the best of a terrible situation and using the drought as an opportunity to brighten people’s day/dedicate himself to his true passion of sheep art. Scattering his painfully expensive feed into interesting new shapes, he’s become the star of his community, local agriculture collectives, and now the entire internet:
Probably better than anything you’ve ever done.
“I feel that if I’m pouring that much money into the ground I might as well get some benefit from it, even if it is just a smile from somebody going along the road,” he told stuff.co.nz, like the total legend he is.
Though he’s done a number of different works such as a heart, a smiley face and his grandchildren’s names, his post popular work is one being described as a hilarious showing of “drought frustration”.
It is a little awkward when you consider New Zealand’s ongoing problem with sheep jokes and the word’s other meaning in certain parts of the world…
Not ideal.
But — as it’s maybe the most New Zealand thing that’s ever happened — that shouldn’t stop someone submitting it as the country’s new national flag. Do it. Do it now.
–
Images via Mike Bowler/Facebook.