Farmers using dating apps and looking at the big cities to find their true love

THE big dry isn’t the only drought. An acute shortage of eligible women is now regularly resulting in farmers trekking to the big smoke looking for love.

THE big dry is not the only drought getting NSW farmers down — an acute shortage of eligible women is now regularly resulting in farmers trekking to the big smoke looking for love.

But the lust muster is a bit easier these days, with farmers and country blokes turning to hook-up apps like Tinder and OkCupid.

NSW Young Farmers’ chairman Josh Gilbert says the collapse of many rural events — including the traditional bachelors and spinsters balls — has made it increasingly difficult for country people to meet a match.

Mr Gilbert says there has also been a huge shift in demographic in the 18-40 age group as people — mostly women — move away from regional towns for jobs or further education.

“There are not many people that are left in some places and those that are left are tradies or farmers,” Mr Gilbert said.

“Finding someone you’re not related (to) or are friends with is hard.

“That’s why online dating and apps give people a chance to connect people.”

Mr Gilbert is familiar with the lengths country men are going to in the matchmaking stakes after crossing the Tasman to enter New Zealand’s Rural Bachelor of the Year.

He says television shows like Farmer Wants A Wife also provide another opportunity to bring farming men and women together and gave people a glimpse of what living on the land is like. He also cites the new foodie focus as another area shining a new light on farming life.

“Farming is very trendy at the moment especially with the food revolution as people are interested in where their food comes from,” Mr Gilbert said.

Veterinarian George Johnstone is just one of the eligible country men who has turned to Tinder to meet women because of the lack of young people in rural areas.

“If you use something like this you can meet people from nearby towns, which is what you would have usually done if you went to country balls,” Mr Johnstone, 27, said.

Vet George Johnstone is just one of the eligible country men who has turned to Tinder to meet women because of the lack of young people in rural areas / Picture: Nathan Edwards