Rough seas send donated bales overboard near King Island

Volunteers have salvaged overboard bales during an “epic journey” of a 450-bale shipment of fresh fodder to King Island farmers.

One ship and its eight trucks have made an “epic journey” to King Island after battling rough seas to deliver fresh fodder to farmers.

Only a few bales out of 450 were lost at sea during the Need for Feed shipment, as a four-metre swell and 40-knot winds caused three loads to tip.

Volunteers managed to recover 16 bales.

Need for Feed founder Graham Cockerell said no one was hurt during the incident, and the six semi-trailers and two B-doubles made it off the boat.

“It took us 23 hours to do a normally 16-18 hour journey,” he said.

“It was an epic adventure, I’m not sure whether we’d like to do it exactly the same.

“But we still got it all delivered.”

TasFarmers drought co-ordinator Steph Ellis, pictured with Archie, received 20 bales from Need for Feed for her family farm ahead of calving and lambing season. Picture: Supplied

TasFarmers drought co-ordinator and King Island farmer Steph Ellis said the conditions changed the delivery situation eight times.

She and her family, who normally manage 3000-head of cattle and 2000-head of sheep, received 20 bales.

“We are just elated, we’ve been able to breathe a little bit,” she said.

“It was a completely different scene here 10 days ago, and fodder supplies were running low with a critical shortage of grass leading into calving.”

She said they expected to begin calving and lambing in three weeks.

“The rains have topped up the dams, almost,” she said.

“It was a huge logistical exercise from both the Need for Feed side and the community who rallied together to donate time, equipment and food.

“Ninety-five per cent of the farms on our list got their hay. Despite the challenges, the island overcame it significantly and that’s through the volunteers.”

The King Island Lions Club also hosted a night-time event for Need for Feed, the farmers and their families, with 150 people in attendance.

More than half a million dollars funded the feed and its freight, with support from donors, and both Victorian and Tasmanian governments.

The 450 bales, or 287 tonnes of feed, were loaded at Donald last week.

“Between the two governments, we’ll be able to get almost all of the freight bills back,” Mr Cockerell said.

He said the feed went to almost 100 registered farmers, and extra bales would be sent to Flinders Island.

Mr Cockerell said the organisation would begin looking to assist South Australian farmers, particularly near Lucindale and Naracoorte, and mainland Tasmania.

Originally published as Rough seas send donated bales overboard near King Island