Drought-affected farmers in South Australia are being helped with fodder drops after little to no rain in some parts of the state has left livestock without food.
Some 300 tonnes of hay are being delivered by the charity Rural Aid Australia in six separate drops throughout SA.
Klaus Gierke is a sheep and mixed crop farmer at Nildottie, near the Murray River east of Adelaide.
Mr Gierke, who has been feeding his neighbour's onion seconds to his stock because he has no grass or feed, told AAP the delivery came just in time.
"Sheep don't do very well on onions it just keeps them going, and they had run out," he said.
"It's probably the second-worst drought that I've seen here in the 30 years or so I've been farming here."
The grazier said people might be surprised to know areas like his could be so dry when so much rain had fallen elsewhere.
"It would be nice if we could even out the rain," he added.
"This hay will help me prolong the feed ... it's been pretty handy."
Around 450 bales are being delivered around South Australia's Murray Mallee region.
SA's Department of Primary Industries and Regions said there has been below-average rainfall since February 2022 across the southeast, Kangaroo Island and the mid-north.
Rural Aid CEO John Walters said dozens of farmers were being helped by the hay drops.
"It starts to get serious when farmers are reaching out to Rural Aid and saying hey we need a bit of a helping hand," Mr Walters said.
It's the first time the charity has made a significant drought-related hay drop anywhere in Australia in months, and the first time since 2020 that SA has been targeted.
Also joining the hay drops have been counsellors, who are making themselves available to farmers.
"The right conversation with the right person at the right time can change everything," Mr Walters said.
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Mr Walters told AAP with floods in other parts of Australia, it has made it difficult for farmers struggling with dry conditions to get attention.
"Having their message heard can be quite challenging," he added.
"Drought is not the issue that it was two years ago but there are parts (of the country) that are still drought declared.
"Each of those farmers has a slightly different situation but as a whole are experiencing really dry conditions and struggling with the access to feed to sustain their herds at this time."
Mr Walters said the charity also continues to help farmers in northern NSW and southern Queensland with flood recovery.
In SA, the hay has been sourced locally and is being delivered until the end of June.
Australian Associated Press
