What if businesses behaved more like farmers?

I'm a habitual listener to "farming today" first thing every day. I have enormous respect for farmers, who have to deal with more external interference than any other sector I can think of.

Apart from the natural perils of weather and disease, they have geopolitical regulation issues and national government legislation from health and safety to the environment. The majority have the challenge of the uncertainty being tenant farmers. They make some of the lowest incomes in the country. Despite all that, they wouldn't do anything else. Their sense of stewardship, their concern for the next generation, and the way they care for their land and animals puts the average business to shame.

Perhaps it has to do with the weather that comes their way that, despite the traditional grumbling, they have no choice other than to deal with challenges as something to be dealt with as it is. After all, you can't lobby the weather.

This morning's discussion was around the challenges of free-range and organ…