Aussie Hay Runners (AHR) has come to the rescue for 52 struggling farmers in South Australia, completing its inaugural run into the state.
South Australian farmers have been enduring extreme drought due to the past eight months of rainfall deficiencies being the highest since records began.
With SA farmers being the least confident in Australia, almost half are predicting the situation will continue to worsen.
With hay prices also continuing to soar and finding good quality fodder becoming harder, AHR has come to the rescue.
The group has secured top quality hay from all around Victoria and will head to SA to help farmers in their time of need.
The inaugural AHR run will see 26 trucks transport 832 bales of donated hay valued at $164,160 to 52 farmers in need.
“It’s really important in these very hard times that the hay we take is top quality with the highest nutritional value possible as these animals have been struggling for months,” Linda Widdup says.
“Combined, our trucks will travel almost 50,000 kilometres, reaching 13 different locations to ensure those who need help the most get it.”
The run, to start on Friday November 1 in Ararat before convoying to Tailem Bend, will see trucks then heading far and wide to their designated areas.
These regions include the worst affected areas such as Australia Plains, Callington, Dawesley, Loveday, Mannum, Mt Mary, Monarto, Morgan, Mulgundawa, Parilla, Robertstown, Sutherlands and Truro.
Widdup says AHR is extremely proud to be helping farmers.
“It’s not a hand out, it’s a hand up,” Widdup says.
“There are always areas in need of help and our logistics team work hard planning and scheduling – there are aways farmers needing help, so if you can, please make a donation. We guarantee that 100 per cent of it will be used to purchase hay.”
AHR was established in 2019 by Widdup, who lives in country Victoria, who watched the impact of the devastating effects of drought and wanted to help.
The group of dedicated volunteers and a large number of drivers are supported by the NSW Rural Assistance Authority, Scott Stevens of Heyfield Lions Club and Gippsland Hay Relief’s Ray Akers.
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