ABERDEEN NEWS - The result of one local farmer's call on Aberdeen district farmers for a donation of fodder, reminded of the Biblical miracle of fish and bread.
On Monday 21 November Garth Featherstone sent out a message to local farmers, asking if anyone would care to donate fodder to farmers still caught in the claws of the devastating prolonged drought.
On Tuesday 22 November Featherstone was completely astounded by the overwhelming response.
"I hoped to get enough fodder for one truck load," he said, "but by Tuesday when we started loading, we filled two trucks with their trailers and we received fuel and monetary donations beyond expectation."
The one load alone carried 750 square bales, whilst the other load carried the big round bales. "Now that is a lot of fodder in such a short space of time!" he smilingly exclaims. Ten farmers donated fuel and money since they had no fodder to donate and 15 donated the fodder - all from the Aberdeen district. The donation went to farmers in two districts: Jansenville and Glenconnor.
Featherstone is ostensibly humbled when he explains the motivation for this spontaneous act of fellowship. "Some of us have recovered from the seven year drought and we are truly thankful for the mercy and grace. Our rain started last year June/July already and the veld has had time to recover with the follow-up rains since last year. But a lot of farms did not get the essential sequence of rain and follow-up soaking rains." He also elaborates that free veld grazing farming with livestock does not mean if you get good rain yesterday and today, you can open the veld for grazing tomorrow.
"It takes a lot of planning and time - we plan six months to a year ahead. First the veld has to fully recover after a drought like this one. However, whilst waiting for nature, farmers have to feed their flock. And truly, that is expensive. No commercial farmer can afford to buy feed indefinitely."
It is also common knowledge that South African commercial farmers do not receive state funded assistance or subsidies. Small scale and upcoming farmers receive the available limited resources. "Commercial farmers are on their own," another local farmer laments.
To all farmers who still have to feed their animals, Featherstone, on behalf of all the donors, says: "Please do stay positive. Hang in there and believe in our God who provides".
