Hay hero Brendan Farrell has called for more water infrastructure to service inland Australia as he announced the next Burrumbuttock Hay Runners convoy to drought-stricken outback farmers.
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Up to 400 semi-loads of hay – and hope – will again hit the road to Cunnamulla in Queensland come January 26, 2018.
Mr Farrell is hoping the funds to support the next hay run will start rolling in almost immediately as the distinctive black rig is set to make an appearance at the Deni Ute Muster on September 29 and 30.
He said there was a mountain-load of merchandise on board, including 4500 stubby holders, that he hoped to sell out of by the end of the popuar event.
The outspoken truckie said he hadn’t been to the Deni Ute Muster before and was looking forward to meeting up with what he hoped would be a supportive crowd.
“I think it will be a real eye-opener,” he chuckled.
“But I also think our hay runs have made a lot of young kids more aware of the plight of Australia’s farmers.”
Mr Farrell was speaking on the back of another successful appearance at the 2017 Henty Machinery Field Days on September 18, 19 and 20.
But, as always, his eyes were turned to the sky and the expectation of much-needed rain.
Mr Farrell said with the amount of snow set to melt off the mountains this year, it was a crying shame there wasn’t more effort to catch it.
“When was the last time there was a major dam built in Australia?” he asked.
“We need water infrastructure in this country something severe – if we could irrigate inland Australia we could have productive and sustainable farms.”
Never one to shy away from controversy, Mr Farrell knows such a proposal will have its detractors but is adamant the issue needs further discussion.
He said drought conditions in parts of Queensland continued to be severe.
“They are in dire straits – there’s no grass,” he said.
“The mayor (of Cunnamulla) was over the moon to get the call and now begins the big drive for hay and dollars for fuel.”
The cheeky charity calendar originally planned for launch at the field days has been delayed until November.
At the end of the day, Mr Farrell said his main aim was to help keep people on the land and raise awareness about the vital importance of our farmers.
