The farming community is overwhelmed by the generosity of the public out there and thank everyone who has opened their hearts to help the farmers and farming community affected by the
fires. The Boshof & Hertzogville communities, worst affected by the recent veld fires, are pleading with donors to stagger desperately needed feed for livestock over the next 3-4 months.
We are also aware of the desperate plight of the farmers still suffering from the terrible prolonged drought and ask donors to divert donations of feed there if it is closer than delivering to the Free State.
Farmers in the Hoopstad, Hertzogville, Boshof and Dealesville areas are working hard to coordinate the logistics of getting the already donated feed stored safely at drop off points to the around 300 farmers affected by the fires.
Current needs assessments are for feed supplements such as pellets, licks and molasses to make the dry grass and stover bales donated more palatable and keep the livestock away from the tender
grass shoots sprouting after the fires and the most welcome rain that fell over the past weekend in the area. Products specifically requested are:
– LS33,
– molasses -syrup/-meal,
– Meester 20,
– Super 18, etc.
FSA is looking at using donated funds to buy in bulk animal feed concentrates and pellets, pay for the diesel for the transport of feed & livestock donations closest to the affected areas, and for what the farmers need to rebuild and repair their farms (fencing material and livestock watering), and for the organized and equitable redistribution of the donations within the affected area to farmers according to the detailed impact and needs assessments still being conducted.
People who would still like to make donations to the disaster fund can SMS the word DONATE on 37846. (R1 / sms. – T’s & C’s apply) and we will call you back.
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