South Australian dairy farmers will be able to access the fodder transport subsidy scheme for the first time through a partnership between the State Government and the South Australian Dairyfarmers Association (SADA), to ensure much-needed fodder is delivered to dairy farmers across the state.
The State Government has gathered feedback from producers and charities from the first round of the scheme and updated guidelines to better target support across geographical areas and streamlining administrative requirements. As part of this, the Government has recognised that Dairy cattle require specific types of feed to ensure the well-balanced diet needed to maintain milk yield and reproductive health, which means that most donated fodder is not suitable. The government has therefore worked with SADA to structure assistance that can be used for the required high-quality, nutritionally balanced feed essential for dairy herd health.
For more information about the SA Donated Fodder Transport Drought Assistance Scheme, visit pir.sa.gov.au/drought
Bringing hay into South Australia
Inspection fees waived for drought-impacted SA farmers importing fodder
Biosecurity inspections will continue to occur. Those farmers impacted by drought will have their fees waived and eligible farmers will receive rebates for inspection fees paid since November 2024, when the first drought package was announced.
Those who have paid fees since November 2024 will need to contact the Recovery Hotline to seek reimbursement.
Advice to Ceduna Quarantine Station regarding hay consignments from WA:
With the details provided through the PHIC and the accompanying Biosecurity Declaration, PIRSA will accept hay consignments where steps have been taken to secure bales as much as reasonably possible. Consignments must be transported in a manner that reasonably secures bales and minimises the risk of dislodgement or spillage during transit.
Preferred methods involve full enclosure using tautliners or side-curtain vehicles.
Where full enclosure is not practical, other effective restraint systems may be accepted if they provide reasonable control of the load.
This allows the use of effective strapping of the consignment.
Manual tarping remains an option but is not mandatory if alternate methods achieve similar outcomes.