Mirko.

You seem like a very nice young man.

People always head for the hills when asked a straight question.

`Or send letters from lawyers.`

I am sure animals dont mind who helps.

For example Mirko ,
PALE has five senior lawyers, barristers including one QC as members.

You probably were not told that.

These are people that have given up their busy time in order to do their bit for animals. That aside AA do not want to work together with us. Sure we are a bit different from the proticol thats been set in cement.

On the other hand shouldnt we exploy all avenues of helping animals. After all its not like there is not room for improvement.


Here Mirko is the real deal>

http://www.aussiehelpers.org.au/supporters.htm

These people give hay and food for stock as well as helping farmers.

You may have seen them on the Australian story Last night.

If you ask any farmer what he wants in time like this it is food for his stock.
I posted on the OLO several weeks ago. The head of Salvation Army drought appeal had called me and requested we put forth a request for the appeal to supply hay and water for stock.

I might add she said nobody have ever raised it before.

I now know that is not entiley true. The peoples link I put up certainly did! ask the Salvation Army.

I personally recall the Barrister for Red cross calling me several years ago and saying. Quote[ I tell you now Wendy not one cent of that money from the public will be going to buy food for stock].

Umm Well considering they showed footage of starving animals and the public dug deep I am very concerned.

We spoke with people and a lot of them were people who told us they donated because they thought it was going to the farmers to buy feed for their stock.
I think the Salvation Army RSPCA Red Cross Animals Australia Animal Lib should be getting in and helping these wonderful people.

http://www.aussiehelpers.org.au/supporters.htm

Do you agree Mirko?

Wendy, whether that money goes to helping feed stock can be a matter of semantics. Eg, you could argue that it didnt go to feeding stock if it goes into the farmers bank account, and then he goes to town to buy groceries the next day. But even if the money goes directly to household expenses, it frees up other cash for purchasing fodder. Few farmers want their animals to starve, if nothing else then consider the profit decrease from sending starving stock to market.

Fodder donations have happened before. Back in the 70's truckloads of lawn clippings and old potatos were shipped west from Sydney to help feed stock. Every little bit helps. This time it might be a lot harder as there are little fodder stocks available given the wide-spread drought, and water restrictions on gardens in the cities.

Country Girl

Thanks

It matter. People want a say where their donations go.
It matters that Church based organisations feel no obligation to also look after Gods Creatures.

It matters that they are NOT listening to the Farmers.

If you were on the bones of your bum and somebody rolled up with a shed full of feed and some water what it would mean to you.

Or would you prefer a city slicker counciler to turn up. Together you could watch your animals and your farm die
Pray together.

It goes to show how removed they are from these real people of Australia.

Farmers dont want pretty talk from people who wouldnt have a clue.

Actually most farmers are people of very few words.

They are proud people who hate talking about themselves at the best of times.
I was told four weeks ago by the Head of Salavation Army Farmers Drought Appeal that they have `never` had requests for feed for stock and water.
To quote the exact words. No Wendy to be honest I have never even thought about it.
Well I will copy a letter- one of many- I was told written in reply to those requests "'they claim they never received"?.

They now! blame the tax office and Mr Costello claiming they are "forbidden' to suply water for animals or feed. Shame.

I spent the afternoon on the phone to the Federal Minister for Taxation, Peter Costellos Office and Salvation Army.

"We will" find a way to change their wording. That should help out the Red Cross as well. "Praise the Lord!"

Here are a few words from Dr Hugh Wirth RSPCA On The need for Churches to Change their Attitude.

http://www.livexports.com/hughwirth.html

Just To go back on post to this thread lets look at what Church have done about Live Animal Exports since the 60 minutes report as well shall we?
NOTHING. Shame.
No lets look at the Muslim Leaders have done.
http://www.livexports.com/afic.html
Kind of makes you wonder doesnt it.

Yabbys Adveture`s continued on new thread.

All this talk of lawn clippings and donations might be great
touchy-feely stuff and satisfy peoples emotional needs, but
its not how to deal with the core of the problem, nor
is it a solution to drought.

Fact is that climatology is becoming increasingly good
at predicting droughts, which allows for better planning.
Fact is that Australia will always be affected by droughts,
they are part of our history and part of our future.

We've learnt heaps this year and those who did not plan
and ignored the reality, are still paying a heavy price
of hungry stock, huge grain bills sending them broke and
farms blowing away. Those who took action early will be
fine. Its just that no Govt would recommend what we learnt,
it might upset the touchy feely people and animal libbers.

First increase on farm grain and fodder storage, to allow
for drought. When they occur, it will double in value,
so you'll get your money back.
Next destock early, not once paddocks are bare and silos
empty. The smartest people got the gun out and shot the
merino lambs. Sounds gory, but the lambs felt nothing,
the moms thrived, due to not having to supply milk,
the pastures got a break from less mouths, grain feeding
was cut by 70%, so bank accounts were not drained.

Next we need flexible Govt policy, so that when droughts
do occur, extra labour can be brought in for meatworks,
to double shifts. Then prices won't collapse, farmers
can still sell for a reasonable price, whilst stock are
still in good health, not when they have become bags of
bones.

Thats the reality. There are solutions! Just not lawn
clippings and donations.

Yabby

your correct.

All that and more. You know we are also doing other things.

Not sure if I can start the Yabbys adventure thread.

Is that against any rules?

I have written a few chapters but I dont want to get banned.

So why doesn`t the Government inflict laws to make them plan and prepare.
I know you cant answer that but whats required.

You cant breed stock on a prayer you might have food and water for them. Thats criminal.

Country Girl was only telling me what had been done in the past and I appreciate it.

As I raised the Farmers drought appeal it was on topic.

Country girl

Yes I know we actually drove a dairy farmers three hundred head down to the Gold Coast.

We got a truck and coles and Woolworths Cocos etc put all their scraps in wheely bins for two other farms as well.

The cattle drew many tourists ,locals and media atention for some of the farmers.
The hardest part was obtaining over three hundred wheely bins from the council who I might add have never forgiven me.
Still it saved three dairy farms.
Now after saying that Yabby you also would be aware that farmers want feed for stock regardless.
Well I guess I am off post but its pretty hard to debate the author when they have again headed for the hills.

Church Leaders do have a reasonsibilty to Gods creatures Yabby and its about time they explained the discusting silence.

You can argue this with me until the cows come home if you like but its the plain truth.

I am ashamed of our churches and Churches leaders.


All Of Gods creatures great and small.

Did you know we are exporting water to ME Yabby?
Its used to build golf courses and plant millions of trees in the desert.
It can also be used for water for stock grass.
Sounds like it might be handy for Australian farmers at the moment ah?

Yabby, I dont disagree with you about the stocking approach you advocate. The problem at this particular time is that few were able to anticipate just how long things would remain dire for. Most farmers will adjust to cope with low rainfall in a particular year, and good ones can cope with 2 years. In some places this has been going on for 5 years, in places where 5 years of drought is unheard of (eg I'm not talking about west of Broken Hill). This is where there needs to be some sort of backup plan.

The problem with storing grain for potentially long period of time is preserving its value (as feed, not in dollars), and keeping vermin out effectively (including insect pests). My family have found that the effort they put into putting in silage just before the drought started has backfired, as the sheep refuse to eat it (now experimenting with additives to make it palatable). It was buried sileage not wrapped, so they cant sell it either. All feedback for next time though I guess!