Murray Mallee farmers say they need all the help they can get as they grapple with drought, with a recent Rapid Relief Team (RRT) event in Mannum and another Aussie Hay Runners event this Friday 30th November.
RRT has just hosted a community breakfast ‘Farmers Community Connect’ where they handed out hundreds of one-tonne bulker bags of livestock pellets to registered farmers.
Executive Director of RRT, Ron Arkcoll, said truck drivers came all the way from New South Wales, volunteering to bring over about 250 tonnes of pellets.
“We understand its the driest year on record 2024 here in Mannum… and its one of our expertise to look after farmers who are doing it tough through these difficult times,” Ron Arkoll said at the event on Friday 22 November.
Karoonda farmer Adrian Growden and Nildottie farmer Steven Graham Crane both shared their experiences as marino farmers struggling in drought-like conditions.
“It’s been very dry, extremely dry this year, last year ended up dry and it wasn’t a very successful year… I started destocking my main marino flock in July… Just trying to ride it out, in my time it’s probably one of the toughest I’ve seen…. just learning to live with it but I feel sorry for the younger people, I think it’s a lot tougher on them,” Adrian Growden said.
“I’ve been on the farm all my life…. the impact is due to a lack of rainfall through the summer into the winter, no subsoil moisture in the Mallee… The situation is didn’t breed, didn’t make sheep due to no feed,” Steven Graham Crane.
“The community get together too, so people come from everywhere off the farm. It’s amazing what that does for your mental health, catching up with other people, we just appreciate anything we get,” he added.
Another charity Aussie Hay Runners has been helping farmers in the Murray Mallee struggling through difficult conditions.
There’s a fundraiser for their work The Bales of Support Christmas Market and free Community BBQ at the Mannum Leisure Centre from 5pm- 9pm on Friday 29 November.
Hear more from Ron Arkcoll, Steven Graham Crane and Adrian Growden via ARN’s Adam and Jennie soundcloud podcast.
