Thread: I believe this is serious?

Living in Canberra it's hot , bloody hot at times, but despite the discomfort (I spend my days in full PPE and respirator as a pest controller) when I get home it has little more bearing on my life. How lucky lucky lucky am I and my city neighbours? I'm hearing terrible stories of how tough our county cousins are doing it out on the farms (note not a winge that I've seen on here) There must be forum members who are in this living hell? Just how bad is it guys? We rely on radio reports (rarely see TV these days personally) I was close to tears one morning hearing of a farmer whos stock was refused transportation due to their state of health. He shot the entire herd and then himself. this is apparently NOT an isolated incident. Why oh why are we as a nation not giving these guys more help and support? million of dollars go abroad, get wasted at home, and yet our food producers and county brothers & sisters, probably close friends and family to many reading this are in dire need.

I heard of an organisation (on main stream radio not on-line)that is offering some help, more personal than anything business related, but I have made a contribution, and urge others to consider doing the same (hope that's OK mods). Aussiehelpers.org

Aussie Helpers is a non profit registered charity with some forty volunteers who freely give their time and expertise to help farming families. Aussie Helpers specialize in assisting farming families doing it tough through no fault of their own. Since 2002 Aussie Helpers have helped many thousands of farming families in varying ways, groceries, sporting equipment, personal hygiene goods, presents for children, stock feed and face to face counseling. Aussie Helpers does not receive any government funding so we rely on the generosity of the people who believe in keeping the bush alive.

How will the funds be used?



Funds raised will be used soley for the purpose to help fight poverty in the bush Australia wide.



Key Areas of Expenditure
basic everyday food and clothing and personal hygiene items
animal fodder to help keep breeding stock alive through this devastating drought so farming families can keep their farming business going after this drought subsides
assistance for persons or families to obtain counselling both in regard with travelling and counselling as depression is rife in farming communities

God help those / you poor people if we don't get good rain soon.

Jez

Forget all the bleeding heart, bandaid remedies that come out of the wood work when the stark pictures are shown on TV.

If you want to cut to the heart of the matter, look at the following things
1. Despite huge efficiency gains in farming over 40 years, the margins at farm gate are slimmer than ever. The efficiency gains are enjoyed by the retailer and the customer.
2. There is a myth that our food is too expensive. At no time or place in recorded history has food taken up less of our total spend than in the developed world right now.
3. The Coles/Woolies monopoly means that farmers are price takers at both ends; inputs and product. Not a great place to be.
4. Grain that would otherwise be stockfeeds is going overseas rather than anchoring the price down. Expect an exodus of pig farmers by Christmas.
5. Government and QA costs just keep rising for no added value.

If you want to help
1. Buy local; not at a supermarket. Butchers, fruito's, etc are more likely to be buying direct and paying fairer farm gate prices.
2. Be prepared to pay a fair price; don't always default to the cheapest.
3. Consider supporting import and export tariffs.
4. Oppose more regulation; it always favours corporates over family farms.

Essentially the solution is for us as a nation to buy less plasma TVs and be prepared to pay a little more for food ie change the way we use our incomes. Make sure it's not stolen by the middle man though.