Road convoy to deliver $500,000 in hay bales to drought-affected farmers

Farmers in New South Wales’ Central West region will receive a much-needed helping hand tomorrow when a convoy of trucks deliver 23,000 bales of hay.

With the entire state now in drought, 23 road trains departed Western Australia on Monday this week, loaded up with the $500,000-worth of livestock feed destined for Condobolin.

The convoy is expected to reach the town by 9am tomorrow, after crossing into the state today and stopping at Broken Hill.

The delivery will provide some relief for desperate farmers, who are currently battling with severe drought conditions that have devastated livestock and produce stores around the state.

Some of those farmers say this drought has been the worst in living memory, with some properties now so dry that many are struggling to find feed for their animals, while others are down to their last 10 bales of hay.

The delivery should keep Condobolin’s farmers operating their properties for at least another week.

Meanwhile, the Australian government has pledged a $190-million drought relief package for those affected by the dry spell.

The NSW Government has also announced more than $1 billion in drough relief measures, including transport subsidies, waivers on farming costs, further bolstering the Farm Innovation Fund, animal welfare measures and mental health support.

Since an appeal for the state’s farmers was launched on TODAY, more than $4 million has also been fundraised for support measures.

Of that, $500,000 was today also announced for the National Farmers' Federation's 'Need For Feed' initiative and $250,000 each for the NSW and Queensland Country Women's Association branches.

NFF President Fiona Simson said the money, which is being delivered as part of a partnership between Channel Nine and Rotary Australia, is going to "the charities who have proven results on delivering for farmers".

"Need or Feed has been sourcing fodder from across Australia and providing eligible farmers with up to 10 bales of quality hay. They are also providing dog food and food hampers," she said.

"The hard-working and iconic Country Women's Association are also recipients... to assist them to continue to provide farming families with financial relief for household expenses such as groceries and bills.

"Very soon we’ll be making more announcements of funding allocations to charities that are meeting the wide needs of farmers.

"Unfortunately, there is no sign of this drought being over anytime soon. Therefore the provision of relief for farmers needs to be a marathon not a sprint."