The 2024 growing season saw 93% of South Australian crops fail and SA primary producers were having a horrific time sourcing quality feed for their livestock: beef and dairy cattle, and sheep. It wasn’t just the expense they were battling, there was precious little fodder available for purchase anywhere locally.

In February 2025 Farmers Relief Agency (FRA) reached out to the Rotary Club of Adelaide Central (RCAC) seeking a local partner for a South Australian Drought Relief Project.

Within seven days RCAC had established a tax-deductible fundraising appeal (under the auspices of Rotary Australia Worldwide Community Service) to fund the purchase of feed from interstate for transport to farm gates in South Australia. FRA took on sourcing the quality fodder and the South Australian Government, through PIRSA, subsidised the freight.

An appeal went out Rotary D9510’s 84 Clubs and they stepped up strongly to fund dozens of truckloads of hay and high protein sheep pellets.

Social and regional media and community radio helped raise public awareness of the drought relief project. Donations flowed in from corporate donors, other service organisations, individuals and even international donors.

More than $730,500 has been donated including just over $425,000 from the Rotary network.

The initial purchase of 600kg bales of Victorian hay was trucked into hard-hit areas of the Mid-North, Murraylands, Murray Mallee and South East and donated to farmers in desperate need.

As word spread, the number of farms registering to receive feed went through the roof and quickly exceeded 650.

As the year progressed deliveries extended to properties on the Eyre, Yorke and Fleurieu Peninsulas, the Nullarbor and in the Adelaide Hills.

There have been many conversations via social media and directly with recipient farmers, who’ve shared heart-wrenching stories of the financial and emotional burden drought has put on them, their families and local communities. Numerous farmers went to the brink of suicide (we know of 5 suicides prevented by Rotary fodder deliveries) and children were stressed to the max watching parents and grandparents struggle to feed both them and their livestock.

Riverland farmer Louise sent a message:
"We were extremely lucky and grateful to receive 16 bales of hay yesterday at our Maggea property. (The drivers) even unloaded our bales as I was shaking way too much to do it. To just be able to stand around having a chat and laugh was a stress relief and welcome distraction. Once again, thank you for everything Rotary."

Sam Edwards commented, “Hi Rotary team, just wanted to express our gratitude and thanks for the hay delivery we received today, it was very surreal to see the trucks with hay following me to our property at Mt Pleasant, it is a huge weight lifted from our shoulders and certainly eased the pressure. Our cattle and sheep are loving the hay and enjoying the change from mostly straw.”

About 1,700 tonne of hay and 350 tonne of high nutrition sheep pellets have been delivered so far. Another 200 tonne is due to be delivered mid-November.