Australia: Hay run volunteers continue to help out

A small convoy of eight road trains sent red dirt flying last month, hauling 400 tonnes of barley straw across the far-flung corners of rural WA. Behind the wheel were volunteer drivers from Farmers Across Borders who offered their time to help Southern Rangeland pastoralists, battling through dry conditions. A fitting display of Aussie mateship, the Esperance-based rural charity and livestock feed run is about more than the delivery of much-needed livestock fodder. It has also provided pastoralists and farmers with hope and reassurance that others are thinking of them in tough times. And with feed and water supplies running short across large parts of WA, Farmers Across Borders volunteers have certainly done that over the past four months. The charity has organised 11 feed runs to northern pastoral stations this year, delivering more than 2800 bales. Relying heavily on donations - particularly to cover the fuel costs - the charity welcomed a State government grant of $150,000 ...