$1 million worth of hay rolls in to Tamworth for drought-stricken farmers following Hay Mate concert

Nearly $1 million worth of hay rolled in to Tamworth on Monday morning, and will be distributed to 255 farmers from the greater Tamworth area over the coming week.

The more than 2000 bales of hay are the fruits of the region’s generosity, purchased with the money raised by the Hay Mate drought-relief concert in October. 

The hay drop is being coordinated by the charity Rural Aid. Founders Tracey and Charles Alder said the hay came from South Australia on more than 30 road trains.

“As the hay producing season has now kicked off, Rural Aid’s Buy a Bale program has been able to buy large amounts of hay from South Australia and deliver it to hundreds of farmers in the last few weeks,” Mr Alder said.

Ms Alder said given the extent of the drought, the almost 15 tonnes of hay wouldn’t go very far – but it would give farmers a reason to smile.

“It certainly gives farmers hope that there is someone out there thinking of them,” Ms Alder said.

“It will give them a little bit of a reprieve, where they don’t have to think about where the feed is going to come from.”

New England MP Barnaby Joyce said the hay was a testament to the generosity of country folk, and would work hand-in-hand with the government’s drought-relief packages.

“This hay is going to make a real difference to people’s lives, providing tangible assistance that people can roll off the truck and use right now,” Mr Joyce said.

The Hay Mate concert raised $2.8m, which will be used for more hay drops, along with hampers and fuel cards to help farmers through the Christmas period.

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