Hay shortage strikes at South Australian Farmers

From afar, Brian Munro's farm in SA's Southeast looks green and lush. But on the ground, producers are coming out of one of their driest ever winters. It's left the normally fodder rich Limestone Coast short of the feed needed for livestock. “I've haven't been able to find fodder, quality fodder, within 500km radius of Mount Gambier, is generally what I've found, and I've actually bought in hay, we've had a massive shortfall.” At nearby Mil Lel, Nathan and Amelia Collins are also finding it tough. (hayrun_1_59) They run a dairy farm with more than 300 cows, but the feed shortage and low milk prices are hurting. “On the end of the good milk prices we thought we'd get ahead and then it's gone all to feed and now we're lucky we're well stocked and we're selling stock to pay for bills.” “The situation is so bad... a charity that donates feed is delivering to the region for the first time ever.” “We bought 22 or 23 truckloads in, and that's pretty much a thousand bales, and that's been split up amongst about 70 families I think.” “The generosity has meant a lot to the region's farming families.” “I'd just like to thank them all, Graham and his crew and all the people who donated this feed, and keep it coming in. Hopefully one day we can send some back.” “Dry conditions and economic pressures impacting farmers across the state has led to more requests for help from Need for Feed this year than usual. But that's meant that some farmers have missed out, forcing them to consider their back up plans.” “Been to Laura, Orroroo, and Peterborough, places like that earlier this year, and it looks like if doesn't rain or keep raining we'll probably have to go back there and that might be the focus of our next delivery.” But farmers say they're staying positive and looking at other ways to future proof their businesses like sowing summer pastures earlier. “It's good to actually get together with other people and kick around a few ideas and do something that you've never come across before.”