Rural Aid, Media Release, 26 November 2024
Rural Aid is calling on Australians to provide a much-needed hand up for our struggling farmers this Christmas. Farmers across South Australia, Victoria, and the southern parts of New South Wales are currently enduring a devastating drought and need our help – so too families in Southwest WA who are recovering from their driest start to cropping season on record.
Donations to Rural Aid’s Christmas Appeal will fund vital emergency food deliveries for livestock, as well as emotional and wellbeing support to help farmers through these challenging times.
“This year has been the worst conditions I’ve ever seen in all my farming life,” said Mr Kerry Modystach, a farmer from Wilmington, South Australia.
“The dams are dry, there’s no feed, and we’ve only managed to get 200 lambs this year when we’d normally have 1200. I’ve had to sell sheep because there’s no feed for them, but now there’s a surplus of sheep because we’re all in the same boat. This drives the prices down, meaning less money in my pocket.”
Mr Modystach continued, “There’s a great deal of financial strain, and it affects you mentally.”
Rural Aid CEO, Mr John Warlters, echoed the concerns of drought-affected farmers and stressed the urgent need for continued drought assistance.
“Farmers in South Australia are struggling silently. For six months, they’ve been facing drought-like conditions that are devastating crops, harming livestock, and putting immense pressure on their livelihoods,” he said.
“In a country as vast as Australia, some crises slip under the radar. While large-scale fires, droughts, and floods grab the headlines, these ‘quiet’ droughts are causing just as much devastation and heartbreak.”
Mr Warlters added, “the time to act is now. A donation to Rural Aid, will fund vital disaster relief, including financial assistance, fodder and water deliveries, and mental health support. Without this help, affected farmers will face continued suffering this Christmas. Let’s give our farmers—who are the backbone of our communities—the support they need this festive season.
Donations to Rural Aid’s Christmas Appeal can be made at https://buyabale2024.ruralaid.org.au.
About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, providing practical support and services to farmers and rural communities. Established in 2015, the charity focuses on drought relief, mental health support, water access, and community engagement. Rural Aid works with farmers to help them recover, rebuild, and thrive in the face of adversity.
