Wonwondah farmers Rob Armstrong and Sam McGennisken collected hay donations to help those battling drought conditions in Queensland.

The farmers, along with others from the region, were part of the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners – a 200-trailer convoy that delivered hay worth $2.1 million to struggling families last month.

Mr Armstrong said they collected donations and took four trucks as part of the convoy, which left on Australia Day.

“There was others from the region as well, with trucks going from Nhill, St Arnaud and Cavendish.

“Next time we are going to try to be a bit more organised and work together.

“It was a hell of an experience.

“It was special – a really fun experience.”

The Burrumbuttock Hay Runners movement started in 2014, and involves donating hay to struggling farmers throughout the country.

Since it began, the hay runners have completed 11 successful hay runs to help drought affected farmers throughout NSW and Queensland.

Mr Armstrong said this year, instead of delivering hay to a depot, they took the donations directly to farms.

“That was heartbreaking, but unbelievable,” he said.

“It really brought to life why we were doing this.”

Mr Armstrong said it took the convoy about two days to get to Cunnamulla in Queensland.

“On the third day, we all went off to farms to drop off the hay – some people only had about 30 kilometres to go, we had the furthest though, travelling 168 kilometres in each direction.

“It was a real trucking experience, driving on narrow roads with lots of corrugation, but it was brilliant.”

Mr Armstrong said before the trip, they collected hay donations from throughout the region.

“We have close to 1500 bales still left, which will be part of the next run in September,” he said.

“We had a massive amount of hay donated, it was mind-blowing.

“We knew it was a good cause, but once we got up there and met the farmers we were helping, it was a pretty emotional experience.”

Mr Armstrong said organisers of the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners were planning to deliver more hay to struggling farmers later in the year.

“They had more hay than trucks, so they are doing another run in September,” he said.

“They are trying to break records – there was 200 trailers this time, but they hope to have more than 450 next time.”