FARMERS across the Wimmera are heading into a dire situation as hay supplies continue to dry up.
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Green Lake crop farmers, and brothers Leigh and Sam McGennisken, are volunteers for the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners.
The group help farmers in drought affected areas by undertaking hay runs.
Leigh said he was constantly being contacted by Wimmera farmers for feed.
“I had call from three people this morning trying to find hay, but there’s just nothing left for us to give,” he said.
“We have one load left in the shed at the moment. I think it is pretty dire situation and a lot of people are in the same situation.
“It’s happening all over the region, even down south where it’s much more wet they are still asking for hay.”
Leigh said the whole region was holding out for rain.
“We’re lucky where we are. If you go up north towards Hopetoun it’s dry as anything, then when you travel south near Hamilton, it’s too wet,” he said.
Related: Hay stocks running on empty
Leigh and Sam assisted with Burrumbuttock Hay Runners’ most recent hay run on Australia Day, when 150 trucks made their way north to drought stricken Queensland.
“We had a heap of hay donated by local farmers in February just after that drive, about 150 bales,” Sam said.
“Those bales will be sent up in the next hay run, but we’re not sure of the date just yet.”
Sam said people could donate to the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners’ next hay run.
“We had 150 trucks last time and it cost about $1000 per truck,” he said.
“If people do have hay they’d like donate, they can contact us and we’ll store it at the farm.”
Leigh McGennisken can be contacted on 0427 837 519.
Head to Burrumbuttock Hay Runners’ Facebook page for more information and to make a monetary donation.
