ON most farms in southern Australia July is a time for maintenance and checking.

Ted, who you will remember is supposed to have retired, has been banging on to his son, Harry, about a section of boundary fence which needs replacing.

Harry's problem is that the neighbour reckons the fence is OK and won't spend any money on it.

Harry wants to go ahead and replace it but he knows that Ted will carry on if the neighbour hasn't paid his share.

To the neighbour the fence isn't important.

Like Harry he runs a few cattle but thinks it is efficient to leave the bulls running with the cows all year round.

Harry, guided by Sally, has worked hard to ensure a high calf-marking percentage from a short joining.

The paddock with the fence which needs replacing is one of the poorest on the farm and ideal for the unjoined heifers.

The neighbour's bulls also think the paddock is ideal.

For the past five years Harry has patched the fence and electrified it but the wire is so rotten that the fence is now completely dependent on electricity to be stock proof.

Jammed between the stubbornness of his father and the neighbour, Harry chews it over with Sally while they are having dinner.

Ignoring Ted is a possibility but they will pay for it emotionally every time there is a discussion about the farm finances.

Leaving the fence for another year is also considered but those bulls have been "working" the fence for weeks.

Replacing the section is the best option but Harry needs agreement from his neighbour.

The ever-sensible Sally manages to get Harry to see it from the neighbour's view point.

The next step was to work out how they might be able to get the neighbour to see it from their side.

Ted's approach has always been to drive over and barrel him but that had never worked.

Harry suggested phoning him but he was only in at night and didn't like talking on the phone. Sally suggested writing a letter and telling the neighbour how much the situation was worrying Harry, mentioning the importance of the tight calving period and ending by asking him over for a cuppa to chew it over.

"You could then follow the letter up with a phone call," Sally said.

At first Harry was hesitant but Sally pointed out the advantages of a letter.

A face-to-face meeting or phone call would put the neighbour on the spot and would probably result in a negative reaction.

Although the letter approach seems very formal it avoids an immediate confrontation and allows the neighbour some time to think about the issue. In the end Harry agreed to write.

He hopes to have the cuppa before Ted gets on his back.