For some farmers, the hay delivered by runners is a saving grace.
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Burrumbuttock Hay Runners was founded after a farmer in Bourke was struggling in the drought received donated hay.
Five years on and the founder Brendan, Bumpa, Farrell is still delivering donated hay to farmers who need it in NSW and Queensland.
“The emotional roller coaster when you deliver the hay is unbelievable,” he said.
“One minute you’re cheering and laughing, then the next you’re balling your eyes out from the devastation in the country that we are seeing.”
Mr Farrell said now they do a big delivery every January to outback NSW and Queensland.
“We take the donated to farmers in need,” he said.
“I started it with one load of hay and 20 mates followed me up to Bourke and it’s been growing and growing ever since.”
Mr Farrell knew four years ago what farmers would soon be facing.
“It has intensified and that it was I said four years ago, it is getting worse and worse,” he said.
“The media is only just starting to realise.”
Mr Farrell is based in Burrumbuttock and said his crops are “hanging in there”.
“We will know in the next eight to 10 days which way we are going to go – keep crop or mow it,” he said.
“Rain is critical at this time.”
Where the hay ends up is decided by ballot form, Mr Farrell said.
“It goes by stock numbers,” he said.
Mr Farrell is encouraging people he meets at Henty Machinery Field Days to consider donating to keep “the dream alive”.
“People can support us by purchasing merchandise or by donating directly to the Rotary Club of Sydney who takes care of the monetary fund,” he said.
“The main thing is getting the word out about this drought.”
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