Farmers who ‘needed rain a month ago’ receive vital hay donation

Convoys of semi-trailers carrying hay that were a familiar sight during the most recent drought have returned to north-west New South Wales.

About 900 hay bales were delivered to Bingara race course ready for hungry livestock this week.

While drought hasn’t been declared in the Gwydir region of New South Wales, parts of nearby regions are drought affected and farmers are preparing for a tough season.

New South Wales Aussie Hay Run coordinator Peter Sandral, from nearby Tingha, said the donated hay from Victoria was a lifeline for farmers.

“If we don’t get rain in the next six weeks, things are going to be in dire straits,” he said.

“This is just in time.”

Mr Sandral said previous wet weather and flooding had made it increasingly difficult for farmers to source fodder. 

“Last year and the year before was extremely wet, that stopped a lot of hay being made, a lot of crops were washed out and the ground was too wet,” Mr Sandral said.

“I’m hoping this will get the farmers through.”

Mr Sandral said more hay was on the way for Bingara farmers.

“In total 71 or 72 semis will be unloaded here in the next 10 days; another eight on Thursday and we have another 34 trucks booked for September,” he said.

Farmer Irene Wynn, who was among the hay recipients, said she and her husband were preparing their property for the worsening conditions. 

“It’s looking very dry and going towards, oh goodness knows what, another drought,” she said.

“If it doesn’t rain, El Nino comes in, so it’ll be very hard to have hay on hand.” 

“We’re very, very happy to have secured 10 bales and that will get us out of trouble in the near future.” 

Ms Wynn said the bales would offer immediate relief and give her time to try to source other feed.

Farmer Darrell Mitchell said he was also relying on the hay drop to keep his livestock fed in the short term.

“It’ll come in handy to feed a few cows, and keep a few sheep going,” he said.

“It’s a shame it wasn’t more hay but every little bit helps.” 

Mr Mitchell said time was ticking for farmers.

“We needed the rain to fall a month ago,” he said.

“If it stays dry, they’re going to have to cart hay in like a few years ago when the big drought was on.

“It is a bit of a worry, we don’t know what is going to happen, hopefully it does rain.”

Mr Mitchell said if it wasn’t for the donated feed, the bellies of people in towns and cities would go eventually go empty.

“Without the hay there is no food source for the cows, and the end product is not there,” he said.