Aussie Hay Runners have shared their delight after the South Australian state government committed $2m in funding to assist with freight costs to transport donated fodder to farmers affected by natural disasters.
The investment is part of the $18m drought package announced by premier Peter Malinauskas and primary industries minister Clare Scriven.
The announcement comes after Aussie Hay Runners completed their first run to South Australia, where they met with Mid-Murray council mayor Simone Bailey and Tony Pasin, federal member for Barker.
“Both Simone and Tony joined us on a run to Sedan to see first-hand the devastation farmers are facing,” Aussie Hay Runners said in a statement.
“Since then, they and others have worked tirelessly lobbying the state government for help and we thank them sincerely for listening and more importantly, acting on what they witnessed.”
Pasin said: “Organisations such as Aussie Hay Runners delivering feed to livestock in drought-impacted regions were donating their time, fodder and heavy vehicles.
“Financial assistance for these organisations to pay for freight costs will be greatly welcomed.”
Buoyed by their new funding, Aussie Hay Runners will be heading back to SA on Australia Day 2025.
They currently have 35 trucks which will travel a total of 140,000km to transport 1,190 bales of donated hay valued at $142,800 to help farmers and their communities.
The run will focus on the areas from Robertstown to Peterborough and beyond.
AHR founder Linda Widdup said: “Our Aussie farmers are the ones putting food on our tables and clothes on our backs and anything we can do to help in times of drought, we will.
“In these horrendous times, it’s really important that the hay we take is top quality, the highest nutritional value.
“We’ll be taking both oaten and wheaten hay, that’s being baled for us right now.”
Visit the Aussie Hay Runners Facebook page for more information on how to donate to the cause.