Community
18 June, 2025
Need for Feed set to make a run
DROUGHT-STRICKEN farmers in the south west will soon have the opportunity to receive much-needed relief thanks to an initiative of the Lions Club.
Need for Feed was established in 2006 by Lions Club Australia during what was known as the millennium drought, sending truckloads of hay to the areas affected.
The project is now known for its efforts in providing emergency fodder during times of need.
Due to the persisting drought conditions across the south west region, Need for Feed have announced they will be launching their first hay run to the south west.
The Lions Clubs in Simpson, Camperdown and Colac have banded together to support this cause, which will arrive to the area on July 12.
Simpson Lions Club incoming president Jason Smith said Simpson Lions Club had helped the project before and it was now their turn to receive help.
“Simpson Lions helped Need for Feed in the past in sourcing locally grown feed for other farmers in distress, so now it’s being sourced for us in the south west as we are in distress,” he said.
“Need for Feed has identified the south west as a place to help after identifying the drought conditions and seeing the rainfall is the lowest on record in the last 18 months.
“This has meant the ability to obtain hay for us has been extremely hard.
“They asked if I could help hosting.
“They’ll be coming once a month into the south west to help drought-stricken farmers.”
The trucks will be parked at the sale yards in Camperdown and attendees will be able to enjoy a barbecue dinner on the night.
“We’ll be parking between 30 and 40 trucks on the Saturday night at the sale yard as we got a permit from the shire,” Mr Smith said.
“We will be hosting a barbecue dinner at the showgrounds which will include all the truck drivers along with the farmers who will be allocated hay.
“At the dinner we also have donations of grocery hampers to help farmers with anything they need, as they are currently spending all their money on stock feed.
“Farmers will need to apply for assistance on the Need for Feed website.
“We will determine who we can help depending on how many trucks we can get and the location of the farm.”
If you are a registered primary producer with farming as your main form of income and are in the Corangamite, Moyne or Colac-Otway Shire Councils, you can apply at https://www.needforfeed.org/apply-for-assistance.html.
“Need for Feed is planning on doing a few runs to the south west, so if you don’t get hay the first time, you may get it another,” Mr Smith said.
“You have to have an ABN and be a primary producer who is actively farming.
“It’s not just for dairy farmers either but any type of farm.
“Fodder will be distributed based on needs of each individual farmer and will depend on the stock you have on hand.”
Mr Smith said this project would not be possible without the ongoing efforts of the Lions Club volunteers, and in Simpson they were slowly losing numbers.
“The Lions Club is struggling for members and we need more volunteers,” he said.
“We want to be able to continue to do this but we need help.
“One of the main reasons I’m getting Simpson, Camperdown and Colac to do this is our members are aging and we need help.
“We’ve already lost Timboon – you don’t need to commit to becoming a member, you can become a Friend of Lions – but if you can support your local Lions Club, it would be a real help to us.
“It’s a lot of fun and you get a lot back giving and helping others.”
Need for Feed is targeting the three worst affected local government areas in the south west but hopes with more financial support they will be able to extend support to other areas.
To support the efforts of Need for Feed, you can make a tax deductable donation at https://www.needforfeed.org/donate.html.
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