Need for Feed convoy takes hay to East Gippsland
Disaster relief organisation Need for Feed was part of a police-led convoy taking hay to hungry stock affected by bushfires in East Gippsland on Wednesday as founder Graham Cockerell said cattle had been going hungry in the area for a week.
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This hay truck was such a delicious sight, starving cattle started eating from it before it had stopped.
Disaster relief organisation Need for Feed was part of a police-led convoy taking hay to hungry stock affected by bushfires in East Gippsland on Wednesday.
It’s a double whammy for some people, who previously needed help with drought relief, and have now been hit by the fires.
Need for Feed founder Graham Cockerell said cattle had been going hungry since fire tore through the area around Brodribb River a week ago.
“Until Sunday, the cattle up there hadn’t had anything to eat because the bloke’s two hay sheds burnt down,” Mr Cockerell said.
“All they had to eat was what was left of their pasture, which is just little pockets of unburnt grass.”
Mr Cockerell said cattle there were at risk of starving.
“We wouldn’t like going (without food) for a week. They can survive but they’re at risk,” he said.
Wednesday’s trip included four trucks. It was part of a bigger effort that included more than 70 vehicles on Sunday.
East Gippsland is an area familiar to Need for Feed.
“Some of the people we have provided drought relief to [over the years] are now fire affected as well,” Mr Cockerell said.
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Need for Feed has been a key supplier of emergency fodder and transport for more than 10 years.
He said the public could help by donating fodder or money to fuel drivers’ trucks.
Need for Feed started in December 2006, when Mr Cockerell lent a hand to farmers hit by fire around Cowwarr and Toongabbie, northeast of Traralgon.
He donated one truck load of hay, which the local Lions Club distributed. When he realised more help was needed and others rallied to help, Need for Feed was born.
To help or apply for assistance, visit needforfeed.org