WORD of mouth has prompted more than 200 of the region’s farmers to donate $1.2 million worth of hay to help drought-affected farmers up north.
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Griffith truck driver and brainchild of the operation, Brendan Farrell, can almost rest after months of hard work and 50-hour weeks spent organising the campaign.
Yesterday, six trucks were loaded with bales of hay near Table Top.
The trucks will join about 25 other rigs on their way to deliver the hay to help out farmers struggling in the Bourke area.
Collection points were set up at Yarrawonga and Burrumbuttock for the past month, with donations received from across Oaklands, Yarra-wonga, Henty, Burrumbuttock, Walbundrie and Walla.
It follows his successful hay drive in February that collected 800 bales from Riverina farmers to truck north from Burrumbuttock.
Mr Farrell has also received support from West Australian farmers for his latest run with another 20 hay-laden trucks coming across the Nullarbor.
In total, 2200 squares and rolls of hay, worth about $1.2 million, have now been donated.
“It’s all been donated, none of it’s bought,” Mr Farrell said.
“We have had a lot more hay donated, especially in the Walbundrie area.
“It’s all loaded and ready to go.”
Mr Farrell said the idea stemmed from sitting in his shed and thinking that someone had to do something.
It has been word of mouth that has made the operation such a success.
“I have had call after call from farmers willing to help out and donate,” he said.
“Those receiving the hay will be overwhelmed — it’s about 10 to 15 bales each.
“This will help with the breeding stock on their farms.”