IF they help out now, the favor might be returned when times get tough in the Wimmera.
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This is the reasoning farmers in the region are using, as they prepare to support the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners for a third consecutive year,
In the lead up to Australia Day, they will join a convoy of vehicles heading north to Armidale, in New South Wales' northern tablelands, to supply drought-stricken farmers with badly needed fodder for their livestock.
The not-for-profit initiative was founded by Brendan 'Bumpa' Farrell in 2014, and sees farmers donate and transport hay to their drought affected colleagues across Australia.
Bungalally farmer and Wimmera organiser Sam McGennisken said the number of producers in the region willing to contribute grew each year.
"Our biggest thing is trying to get the word out we're still doing it," he said.
"Every day is one day closer to the next rain event - that's how we look at it. They could get a break, you just don't know what's going to happen."
"When the Grampians fires were on in 2014, there were people that were more than happy to donate loads of hay, even if it was just five or six bales it was all a big help."
Mr McGennisken said groups of farmers in Mount Gambier, Adelaide and Hamilton were also contributing to the January run, which will be the fifteenth overall.
Mr McGennisken said so far the organisers had collected 170 bales and 40 round rolls of hay, and had up to 5,000 more bales to make in the next three weeks. He said any farmer still wanting to donate hay could contact him on 0488219802.
"Even if the fodder is still standing in a paddock we've got machines can cut and bale the product free of charge, and all the string for the bailing is supplied," he said.
He said the farmers were also seeking monetary donations to cover the fuel cost of driving to Armidale, and that these could be made via the Rotary Club of Sydney.
Green Lake farmer Daniel Mibus, another organiser said: "You could throw a dart at the map of New South Wales and it's going to be in drought, so we're just trying to help out a small area. Next year it will be somewhere different.
"They haven't had any crops, there has been nothing there to cut the hay, so it's a very different situation up there. It's just bare dirt."
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Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
