Hay relief for Eudunda region

Today, four road trains delivered hundred of bales to Eudunda to help 15 farming families, including local farmer Karl Zerner, who said it was the worst season he had experienced in his time farming.

Many farmers said it was not just the dry conditions, but also a lack of hay availability that had made the season hard.

They were humbled by people’s generosity, with this hay bought from Lock with donations.

So far, Rural Aid has conducted nearly 20 drops across SA in the past three months, as part of the Buy a Bale program, including Peep Hill, Robertstown, Cowell and past drops at Eudunda, including one in October.

Rural Aid general manager Wayne Thomson had previously hoped to allocate $1 million of hay before Christmas, but said more farmers needed to register.

“We’re more than halfway to that million,” he said.

The Eudunda drop was also part sponsored by Seppeltsfield Winery, which raised $9500 at its Christmas party for the cause.

The rest of the funding came from general donations by the Australian public.

“It’s good to see Aussies helping Aussies,” Mr Thomson said.

“This won’t get the farmers out of strife, but it will give them a hand.”