Hay delivers hope

The hay from northern NSW was paid for by Need for Feed and delivered by volunteer drivers.

Despite the massive contribution, the donations met only about one-third of demand from local farmers. More than 400 farmers applied for the feed.

Amounts donated to individual farmers was lower than hoped because of trouble finding supplies, however, Need for Feed hopes to arrange another convoy to the region in the coming months.

Community spirit shone through along the long road journey and again at Camperdown as people came out to show their support as the trucks passed.

Hundreds of local farmers later joined the volunteers for a Lions Club celebration where the mood was more buoyant than it has been for months with the donations, rain and a higher milk price helping to relieve some of the gloom.

There were also donations of food, dog food, cow feed, hampers and other supplies to help struggling farming families.

The hay was delivered on Sunday morning with many of the volunteer drivers immediately starting the long return journey.

Need For Feed has also accessed enough hay from Western Australia to fill another 90 road trains and will deliver much-needed supplies to South Australia in the next few weeks.

Need For Feed founder Graham Cockerell said the hay was desperately needed but didn’t reach as far as he’d like and more support was needed.

“We were last in south-west Victoria after the St Patrick’s Day fires on 2018 and this has probably topped that, but there’s still so much more to do,” he said.

The donations were to primary producers whose main income is from farming in the Corangamite, Colac-Otway and Moyne shire. Most recipients were dairy farmers.

Graham said other parts of Victoria were struggling and South Australia also needs help.

“They’re a year ahead drought-wise. They’ve had three years of lowest rainfall on record; this area is in its second year and heading for three.

“A whole lot of Victoria is experiencing record low rainfall. Even with the rain they’ve had in the last month, it doesn’t change the records. You’ve got green pick which might be good for sheep but it’s no good for cows.”

Elise McKinnon from Drought Support Victoria said the convoy raised spirits and showed the strength of regional communities.

“We are constantly reminded of the strength and kindness of our communities — and few acts are as powerful as what Need for Feed continues to do,” Elise said.

“When their hay convoys roll in, they don’t just bring feed — they bring hope, dignity and relief to farmers who’ve been doing it tough for far too long.

“This is what real support looks like — and it’s making a difference.”

Swan Marsh dairy farmer and Simpson and District Lions Club president Jason Smith helped to facilitate the run and received a load of hay.

“It’s absolutely wonderful,” Jason said.

“It’s been the hardest 18 months to two years of my farming career so this half-load of hay from Need for Feed is going to take the pressure off a bit.

“I went through the millennial drought up north but through all of those, we could still access fodder at a reasonable rate from other parts of the country. No-one has anything this time.”

Jason said farmers appreciated the support.

“It was only a small load because we had so many people apply and we had to spread it pretty thin, but everything helps.”

Need for Feed is a Lions Club project that’s grown into one of Australia’s most significant and trusted farm relief organisations.

Since 2006, it has delivered more than $45 million in aid, including more than 2500 truckloads of hay and supplies, and thousands of hours of volunteer support.

“We’re fuelled by donations,” Graham said.

“We’re all volunteers. Every dollar goes straight to the farmers.

“If you’ve eaten today — thank a farmer. And if you can — help feed their animals.”

For more information or to donate, go to: https://www.needforfeed.org.au