HAY DONATIONS - HOW NSW FARMERS MEMBERS RESPONDED
49%
thought that charities buying hay had affected the market price
36%
believed charities had a significant effect on price
80%
had not accessed any hay from charities
94%
of respondents were full producer members
THOSE WHO HAD RECEIVED HAY FROM CHARITIES
35%
were registered with a charity
29%
were approached by a charity or service organisation
78%
had received one or two deliveries, and have received more than four bales of hay
76%
rated the quality of the hay as average or excellent
WHERE DID THE HAY COME FROM?
*Deliveries from multiple states included
MEMBERS' FEEDBACK
Here are some individual responses from NSW Farmers' members:
“It was nice to feel appreciated and thought of. But made no real difference as we are buying hay and other feed at increased prices. Donated hay equates to one day’s feeding.”
“When our self-grown dry feed ran out for our beef cattle, we substantially added to our loan to buy feed. We are not aware of donated fodder to this area and heard donating trucks are reluctant to use steep mountain roads.”
"I have not sought hay but like everyone else would certainly appreciate it.”
“Charities should have stayed out of the hay market and not interfered with the price hike. Credit/vouchers should be given to farmers to buy hay. Although good intentions, a very unfair system.”
"Fortunately we do not require help. Neighbours helped us out. We were able to donate and help others.”
FIND RELATED STORIES:
- The drought hay crisis: do we export or not?
- 26 year old silage offers drought relief
- Diversifying from beef to hay production