December 2019
Monday, 09 December 2019 11:10

Roadside haymaking supported

Farmers experiencing fodder shortages in drought affected parts of Gippsland may benefit from a roadside haymaking project after it was recently raised in parliament by Gippsland East Nationals MP Tim Bull.
“I asked about the roadsides in Gippsland and if they could be cut and baled for hay. The Minister advised they were mostly not suitable but stated she was considering a stretch of the Strzelecki Highway to provide fodder for Gippsland farmers,” said Mr Bull.
“I was told the knee-high grass on the Princes Highway was unsuitable due to safety issues and weeds that meant it was of questionable nutritional value, but that is not what I heard from farmers who made the suggestion.
“The good seasonal conditions experienced in parts of West and South Gippsland have produced a lot of valuable feed on roadsides that is eye wateringly attractive to farmers further to the east who are still in drought.
“In some cases, it has been cut and baled on one side of the fence but apparently the other side is not suitable.
“Our farmers don’t get the benefit of the generous freight fodder subsidies that the New South Wales Government has provided to its drought impacted farmers.” 
Drought affected farmers wishing to access this fodder, which is weather dependent, are invited to register their interest with Tim Bull’s electorate office on 5152 3491. 
Hay bales image courtesy of Visit Victoria Content Hub
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