Lovely support from a local Adelaide business institution. Thanks team for helping us buy more hay!
How amazing - 5 Bales of hay - 3 Tonnes! So generous.
Save SA Farmers' Livestock - Giant Hay Bales appeal
Deliveries are Ramping Up
[ Updated - Sunday 13th July 2025 ]
"Don't be fooled by the Green Drought" is what our farmers are telling us.
Although parts of South Australia finally started to receive rain during June and it's starting to look like the hills and paddocks are lush and green, but it's misleading. Weeds and low grass sprouting aren't enough to feed livestock.
For farmers who were in a position to sow some seed to get new hay / grain crops germinating, it could take up to four months in this winter chill to get it to maturity and ready for harvest.
Rotary and Farmers Relief Agency know we have a long job ahead still to ensure that our Farmers continue to receive the fodder they so desperately need. Every day, more farmers register with us for help.
FYI - many areas of SA's Mid-North received only 8 to 15mm through June, missing the heavier rains that benefitted southern areas. They're still desperate to receive soaking rains to get their seed to germinate.
Stay tuned for more detailed updates and photos soon.
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Farmers across South Australia, particularly in the mid-North region, are in desperate straits trying to find enough food to feed their Sheep, Cattle, Horses and more.
Food is running out! Animals are starving. Suffering. Dying. The drought has hit hard!
Rotary, thanks to your help donating, is getting hundreds of first grade huge Round Hay Bales and high protein pellets onto farms as fast as possible.
Demand for the hay is high. Between February and May, we were fortunate to have sourced around 1,500 bales at $110 each.
Now in June, the average price we need to pay sits around $190 per bale. We project we need to source at least 2,500 more bales to serve the farms currently registered.
BECOME A HAY HERO with Rotary - every donation from $2 and up is Tax Deductible. You can click to < donate today > or scan the QR code on this page (also on our downloadable poster on this page).
Rotary's focus is to raise funds to buy the Hay and Pellets. Rotarians are volunteers, so the money we raise goes straight to this purpose, it's not burnt up in wages.
South Australian grain producers' crops for 2024 were identified as being on average, 93% below normal yield. The drought has hit our state very hard, with the local supply of hay and grain dwindling.
The Government of South Australia, Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) has already committed to paying the Freight costs to get Feed to S.A. Rotary and Farmers Relief Agency is so grateful for this support.
Any amount you can afford to donate will help us reach our target to serve the 550+ farms who have registered with us so far. Your donation will be greatly appreciated, not only by Rotary, but the farmers and the animals you will be supporting.
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DONATE ONLINE - Tax Deductible Receipts Issued
https://donations.rawcs.com.au/42-2024-25
Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) (our Club's path for collecting Donations) is a registered charity with the Australian Government ACNC and ATO. Donations are Tax Deductible. We are grateful for RAWCS' charitable commitment to support us and all 80+ Rotary Clubs in South Australia plus all other Clubs across Australia.
Please note : 94.5% of all Donations go directly to our project. Our Rotarians running the project are volunteers - so no wages are paid to make our drought relief project happen.
The small 5.5% fee RAWCS does deduct from donations is needed to cover a range of genuine out of pocket costs. They're minimal. But you can't run anything for free these days.
Please do not be dissuaded by this fee. Be comforted that virtually all of your donation will be feeding livestock FAST + the remainder will do future good.
Donate Online Here :
https://donations.rawcs.com.au/42-2024-25
Thank You!
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For more information or to make a donation,
please contact Rotary Adelaide Central Vice President
Bill Marles on 0410 523 106 or
email him at Hay@RotaryAdelaideCentral.org.au
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Track Our Trucks and Deliveries
Hay is flowing nicely with Quarantine restrictions from WA not causing great delays now that we're moving more hay from the same source. Thanks to PIRSA for giving the all clear within 24 hours of the hay arriving from WA!
We now have a number of local drivers doing the deliveries. Some are bee keepers, others are farmers with smaller flat beds and of course the wonderful drop decks of our main carriers. Rotary and Farmers Relief Agency are helping to keep all of these businesses and the drivers busy.
Week commencing Monday 7 July we have delivered to farms a total of 80 Tonne of Hay (about 10 Tonne on average per farm) to:-
Quorn (3 farmers); Eurelia; Angaston; Maggea; Jabuk (2 farmers with adjoining properties)
Some other places scheduled for delivery week commencing Monday 14 July:- Ngapala, Culbara, Yankallila, Tarcowie
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Between 15 June and 2 July 2025 - we were busy delivering West Australian Hay and Sheep Pellets all around SA, including:-
At least 5 Tonne of Hay (often up to 11 Tonne) to Murray Mallee and Adelaide Hills farms in : Cooke Plains; Peake; Sherlock; Tailem Bend; Strathalbyn; Blackfellows Creek; McHarg Creek; and Kuitpo.
5 Tonne of high nutrition pellets, both for Sheep and separately for Lambs to Mid North Farmers in : Booborowie; Port Broughton; and Moockra; plus three farms in Wilmington and two farms in Quorn.
Friday 13 June 2025 - Another 40 Tonne of sheep feed pellets delivered to support farmers across the Eyre Peninsula region, including two farms in Kalanbi as well as farms in Uworra, Charra, Ceduna, Lock and Tumby Bay.
This Friday 13th June Delivery will make a total of 1,088 Hay Bales delivered since 24th February ... 652.8 Tonne, plus a further 160 Tonne of high nutrition, high protein Sheep Pellets.
Friday 6 June 2025 - 40 Tonne more of feed pellets will support farmers mainly in the mid north of the State, out from Crystal Brook, including 2 Farms in Pekina; plus farms in Angaston; Black Rock and Murray Bridge.
Wednesday 4 June 2025 - 40 Tonne more of feed pellets will support additional farmers on the Eyre Peninsula from Charra & Uworra (west of Ceduna); to Kalanbi (north of Ceduna); and Haslam / Chandada (near Streaky Bay).
Monday 2 June 2025 - 40 Tonne of feed pellets arrived in Ceduna. 8 farmers were notified of their arrival. 5 Tonne each will go to 5 local farmers surrounding Ceduna; 2 Farms in Poochera; 1 Farm in Coffin Bay near Port Lincoln.
TRUCKS 33 & 34 carried 64 bales, delivering to farms in Peterborough, Yongala.
TRUCKS 31 & 32 carrying 64 bales departed Victoria on 1st May, delivering to farms in Peterborough, Minvalara and Orroroo.
TRUCK 30 carrying 32 bales headed to 2 farms in Angaston & St Kitts.
TRUCKS 27 to 29 carrying 96 bales departed Victoria on Saturday 26th April, heading to farms around Peterborough and Roxby Downs.
TRUCKS 26 delivered 32 bales (19.2 tonne) to farms in Angaston and St Kitts mid-last week.
TRUCKS 23 to 25 left Victoria on Thursday 17th April, bound for 6 Farms across Mount Torrens, Cudlee Creek, Mount Pleasant, Williamstown and Karoonda - with deliveries likely on Easter's Good Friday. A further 96 Bales equating to 57.6 Tonne of Hay between them.
TRUCKS 21 & 22 left Victoria on Tuesday 8th April, delivering Wednesday 9th April ... one Truck delivering to two more farmers east of the Clare Valley (Robertstown) up into the mid north close to Peterborough (Yongala) ... and the second truck making two drops close to the Riverland town of Waikerie (Maggea and New Well). Another 64 Bales equating to 38.5 Tonne of Hay.
TRUCKS 19 & 20 left Victoria on Tuesday 2nd April ... one Truck delivering to two more farmers in Pekina (close to Orroroo). This will mean we've helped 6 Farms in total in this one farming area.
A second truck is making two drops near Hamilton (just north of Kapunda). One farmer has been a sheep breeder for 40 years and has had to sell half his flock. The other has reduced her stock to 200 breeding ewes all about to lamb this month.
4 more Farms in South Australia's mid-North in total assisted, with 64 Bales between them.
TRUCKS 17 & 18 are leaving Victoria today, Thursday 27 March. One Truck will deliver to two farmers in Pekina (close to Orroroo in the Mid North) by Saturday 29th, and a second truck is making two drops near Murbko (between Blanchetown and Morgan on the Murray River). 4 Farms in total assisted with 64 Bales between them.
TRUCKS 15 & 16 left Victoria Saturday 22nd March. One Truck delivered to two farmers in Walloway in the Mid North on Sunday 23rd, and the second truck to one farm near Peterborough and a second farm in Orroroo. 4 Farms in total assisted with 64 Bales between them.
TRUCKS 13 & 14 left Victoria Wed 19 March. Delivered Thurs 20th.
1 truck to farmers in Karoonda, the second to Palmer and Mount Torrens. All have had failed crops for the last two years and have no feed or hay reserves. One farmer has 280 white suffolk sheep, which is a unique genetic breed developed here in SA.
In Mount Torrens we are heading to both a dairy farm and beef cattle station. The lack of feed is now affecting milk production, which will have flow on effects to households in South Australia. Five farmers will be supported this trip.
TRUCK 12 left Vic on Fri 14 March - bound for 2 farms in Melrose & Wilmington in the southern Flinders Ranges! Delivered on Saturday 15 March. Between trucks 10 to 12, another 96 hay bales, weighing 57.6 Tonnes.
TRUCK 11 left Vic on on Fri 14 March to help 2 farming families arround Carrieton in the mid-North! Delivered on Sat 15 March. 32 Bales.
TRUCK 10 left Vic on on Fri 14 March to help 2 Farming Families around Wilcherry at the top of the Eyre Peninsula! Delivery on Sunday 16 March. 32 Bales. 19.2 Tonnes of hay.
TRUCK 9 left Vic on Mon 10 March - bound for Stockwell & Towitta in the mid-North! Delivered on Tues 11 March. 34 Bales. 20.5 Tonnes of hay.
TRUCK 8 left Vic on Mon 10 March - bound for Brinkworth & Nelshaby & Truro in the mid-North! Delivered on Tues 11 March. 34 Bales. 20.5 Tonnes of hay.
TRUCK 7 left Victoria on Tues 4 March - bound for Ponde & Sandalwood in the south-East! Delivered on Wed 5 March. 18 Bales. 6 Farms assisted between Trucks 5 to 7.
TRUCK 6 left Victoria on Tuesday 4 March - bound for Robe and Mt. Benson in the south-East! Delivery on Wednesday 5 March. 16 Bales.
TRUCK 5 left Victoria on Tuesday 4 March - bound for Robe and Nora Creina in the south-East! Delivery on Wednesday 5 March. 14 Bales.
TRUCK 4 left Victoria on Tuesday 25 February - bound for Eurelia in the mid-North! Delivered Wednesday 26 February. 128 Bales in total to date!
TRUCK 3 left Victoria on Tuesday 25 February - bound for Willawie in the mid-North! Delivered Wednesday 26 February.
TRUCK 2 left Victoria on Tuesday 25 February - bound for Pekina in the mid-North! Delivered Wednesday 26 February.
TRUCK 1 left Victoria on Monday 24 February - bound for Orroroo in the mid-North! The first 32 Bales on the way. Delivered Tuesday 25 February.
Two Triple Deck Trucks will roll in convoy into Adelaide on 13th, 20th & 27th July. Each truck's trip will carry 96 x 700kg Hay Bales (67 Tonne per truck). Over 3 Weeks - Rotary will bring in another 402 Tonne of clean, nutritious Oaten Hay from Western Australia to help around 70 S.A. Farms.
Thursday 26 June 2025 - Delivery to 4 Farms around McHarg Creek (near Meadows) in the Adelaide Hills. Another 44 Tonne of Hay helping them to survive!
A late afternoon delivery to farms in South Australia's mid-North had animals running for a feed when they smelt beautiful fresh hay on the farm.
Tues 11 March - this truck rolled into a farm in Brinkworth with 32 bales on board. Each bale weighing 600kg. Thanks to Penny Pratt MP and Rotary Port Pirie for visiting this delivery!
Meet this gorgeous little Angus X Heifer 'Harriet' (with her spell binding Lightening bolt tattoo) She was born on 24 March 2025, and probably didn't expect to pop out to such arid land. But this is a major problem that Rotary is trying our hardest to address - helping farmers to not be forced into De-Stocking at a time that demand is low, along with the sale prices. Farmers are trying to stay viable, not just for this year - but for the years ahead! And THAT will affect the prices we pay at our local markets in 2026 / 2027 / 2028!!!
A 3 Truck convoy carries 96 bales of Hay for grateful animals! < click photo to enlarge >
We are a family of 9 with 3,000 Merino sheep (for high quality wool), based on 24,000 acres at Murbko. Our challenges: Feeding the sheep; Making ends meet; Providing the needs of our sheep; Wondering how we can afford crutching in a month ... followed by shearing at the beginning of spring. Needing to sell sheep, but can't due to weight, price, and many not buying due to lack of feed.
DONATE online. Tax Deductible. Every little bit helps us keep animals alive. Thank you.
Tues 11 March 2025 - unloading our truck load to Brinkworth - mid North South Australia.
Our Hubby and wife trucking team (right) drive the Escort Car and Lead Truck in our convoys of 3 Trucks. More happy farmers with hay bales in hand!
John and Abbie from Kimba in the States' northern Eyre Peninsula have been hit hard also. They've herded their sheep into pens to feed them by hand, because they've barely a blade of grass on their expansive farm for the grazing. We're delighted to say John and Abbie will receive their hay Saturday 14 March! :-)
This cow was so hungry, he couldn't wait for the Semi-Trailer to be unloaded! < click photo for enlargement >
South Australian farmers often come to the trucks as they arrive in their district to collect bales to take back to their properties .. more than once me might have noticed a tear in their eyes! < click photo for enlargement >
As fast as bales hit the farms, the herds come running for a feed < click photo for enlargement >
A Farmer's Story: "Current challenge is we had a year of barely any rain so we weren't able to harvest any of our sown crops and had no stubbles to be able to put the sheep onto so starting to bare out paddocks and hand feeding them. We also had a storm last year that damaged our hay shed and we haven't been able to have it replaced yet. So any hay we have is being stored at my brother-inlaws place and I transport it from there when needed. The bores are also drying up and can't keep up with the sheep so we are moving them to an ajistment for a few months. Hoping that in the mean time we can work towards having more storage to be able to cope with consecutive dry seasons."
32 Giant Hay Bales fill one truck. Here's a truck ready to hit the road right now. < click photo for enlargement >