Donated hay arrives in Wallabadah to feed hungry cattle

Tony and Jacqui Hann received 30 bales of hay, which they divided up with some farming friends, in a gift from a property developer with Tamworth links.

McCloy Group sent three semi-trailers to the district to be distributed by Rural Aid.

For the Hanns, with elderly parents and young adult children to worry about, and their own health issues to endure, the drought is only adding to their woes.

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They usually run 150 head of cattle on their place, but have whittled that down to about 30 calves and cows.

Like many, they’re “always looking for the next load” of feed – and they’re not sure where that’s going to come from.

“We’re trying to space it out: the 10 bales will last 20 days, but they really should be getting one bale a day, because they’re hungry,” Mrs Hann said.

“They’re supposed to be cutting hay in Victoria again, so I suppose that will be the next place we look … but the price of everything ...”

Mrs Hann said she and her husband were “so grateful for the effort and generosity of the people involved in the donation”.

“Knowing that there are people thinking about the drought, the stock and farmers involved helps make it not so overwhelming.”

McCloy Group managing director Brian Swaine said the oaten hay had been trucked in from Western Australia.

“Having been part of the Tamworth community through Lampada since 2013, we wanted to do our part to help,” he said.

“Our farmers need the support of the wider community right now.”

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