THE team behind the recent hay run to the Eastern States is joining forces with the Pastoralists and Graziers Association (PGA) with a view to trucking hay to pastoralists in need in WA’s north.
PGA policy officer Doug Hall said he was in the process of developing a run to pastoralists in the Meekatharra, Mt Magnet, Wiluna and Newman areas.
“We are still getting in touch with pastoralists to see who is in need so we can work out a plan,” Mr Hall said.
“At the moment we are just getting the word out there, we have quite a few members in that area and some who aren’t members and we want this to go to everyone who needs it so we are just trying to get in touch with as many pastoralists as possible.
“I am getting up towards 20 pastoral stations that have expressed interest so far.
“Some of these stations haven’t had decent rain for 18 months to two years and many are actively destocking or are preparing to if the rain doesn’t come in the next couple of months.”
Mr Hall said some pastoralists have been buying hay from the Geraldton and Dongara area to keep stock going.
“There was a surplus of straw left over from the recent hay run that went to Cobar in New South Wales and the Farmers Across Borders said they were happy to send that hay to the north,” he said.
“We were asked to help out and assist in co-ordinating this run, which we were happy to do.
“At this stage the Farmers Across Borders are happy to proceed and so we really need to work out what demand there is so we can go about planning the most efficient route possible to deliver the fodder.”
Mr Hall said the hay was right to go and they had enough trucks they just had to work out how to pay for the fuel to truck the hay up there.
“We have the hay and trucks but what we don’t have is the money for the fuel, so we have been asking the pastoralists if they would be prepared to contribute to the fuel cost, so they would be getting the hay for free but paying something towards fuel,” he said.
“There may be some offers of donations for fuel from business from the outside as well which may help with that.
“We would like to make this happen sooner rather than later, but we also must make sure it works efficiently and effectively.”
Farmers Across Borders co-ordinator Sam Starcevich said they were trying hard to get a run organised.
“Nothing is set in stone at the moment, we have the hay, we are just trying to get that funding to pay for the fuel,” Ms Starcevich said.
“We are full steam ahead and if we get that funding we hope to get it going in the next few weeks.
“We have 1000 bales of straw left over from the Cobar hay run and I have had the offer of a road train of hay from Geraldton to go with it as well, so hopefully we can make it happen and help these guys out.”
