Drought Appeal: Support The Southern Highland's Mayberry Farm

The reach and spread of Australia’s drought crisis is difficult to comprehend – it’s a situation not just confined to inland areas but indeed the very region participants of the Bowral Classic ride & enjoy.

Many are suffering from this drought including the good people of Mayberry Farm, a dairy property at Burrawang in the Southern Highlands.

Battling not just a lack of feed but incredibly low prices for their produce, Mayberry Farm are holding an open day & fundraiser this Saturday, August 18 – You Can Register Here.

Gaining national exposure thanks to a radio interview with Alan Jones of 2GB on Wednesday morning, Jones commiserated with the farmers and pledged to do all he could to help their plight.

Alan Jones will be on hand at the Southern Highland’s farm on Saturday and says he will milk a cow in return for a big donation to the drought appeal. We’d love to see Bowral Classic riders and supporters at the farm on Saturday as well.

A representative from Mayberry Farm told us the dairy industry has hit crisis point as a result of soaring operational costs, crippling drought and ongoing challenges to achieve fair milk prices.

“It’s the retail giants who are profiting from milk production to the detriment of farmers, leaving many dairy farmers struggling to feed their stock and keep their farms profitable,” she told us.

“Imagine the stress, knowing that the majority of the profit you work so hard and tirelessly for is not going back into your business. If things continue as they are, traditional dairy farms will disappear from Australia. The economy of milk production, especially on medium to smaller farms is unsustainable, and it is the relentless cost-cutting by some of the big supermarket chains that is responsible.”