Farmers across the Fleurieu are now at peak requirement for fodder with the impact of drought now becoming all too clear, according to industry advocate Alice Morley of Fleurieu Peninsula Agriculture and Fleurieu Farming Systems.
With primary producers across the region now hitting their third year without substantial rain and calving season just begun, demand for fodder is reaching critical levels.
Despite the State Government’s $2 million investment in charity hay runs to 436 primary producers across drought-affected regions of South Australia, Alice said she’s heard of just one farmer on the Fleurieu who has been told his application for funding was successful so far.
“Very little in the way of fodder donations are actually making it through to the Fleurieu,” Alice said.
Alice explained that in some cases, farmers are being pushed into a corner to sell their properties, but in most others, the shear stress of watching cattle go hungry or having to sell stock altogether, is something she wants policy makers to understand.
“The majority of drought discussions by government have been focused on forward planning, preparedness and drought resilience,” she said.
“But farmers need help here and now, we need immediate action.”
A range of grant funding and fodder deliveries are available through the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, as well as Livestock SA and others, but Alice said she is concerned by the “number of hoops” farmers have to jump through to apply for help.
In some cases, farmers are waiting three months before a reply to their application.
“And still there is no guarantee that farmers will be successful in their application,” she said.
Alice claims fodder delivery has centred on the mid north and south east – where hay is still available – places like Gladstone and Mallala.
But the Fleurieu and Adelaide Hills are in a difficult spot.
“As regions, we don’t make large quantities of hay,” Alice said.
The size of Fleurieu farms and the timing of the rainy season means mass storage of fodder (hay) is not often possible.
Now, in some cases farmers are reportedly having to purchase fodder at a premium $500 per tonne.
The State Government said it supports the scheme through contributing to the transport costs.
“Organisations delivering fodder have their own networks to identify areas of need, accept farmer registrations, and reduce duplication,” a spokesperson said.
“Primary producers need to register directly with the participating organisation/s of their choice.”
Primary producers wishing to receive donated fodder are also encouraged to understand the type and source of fodder products being provided by the specific organisations, so they know what to expect and can manage potential biosecurity risks, noting biosecurity protocols still apply to donated fodder.
“Charities need to concentrate their efforts on delivering to places where feed is not available,” Alice said.
“Because right now in the Fleurieu, there’s simply not much left.”
