ABERDEEN NEWS - A small group of the Aberdeen Garden and Social Club enjoyed a wonderful trip to visit Dickie and Colleen Ogilvie on their farm, Doorndraai, 50km from Aberdeen.
The Ogilvies welcomed the group warmly, and there was much informal chat and socialising in the garden over tea, coffee and snacks.
Dickie gave a brief history of the farm, which was bought by Colleen’s father in 1965.
He also spoke about the devastating effects of the drought, now in its fourth year. With only 40% of the usual rainfall in this time, all available funds have been used to feed the depleted stock. Like most others, the Doorndraai stock has been reduced to a nucleus of sheep and goats as a breeding herd.
Many generous donations of feed have been received by farmers in the area, some free and some at a reduced price, but transport is extremely expensive. As the drought bites harder, more and more farmers are affected, with some on the breadline.
Colleen provided a delicious lunch of lasagne and salad, which was an unexpected treat. She then took the guests to see the dam, in the hope of spotting some fallow deer. Only one was seen, in the distance, but after a seemingly precarious trip along the top of the dam wall, the nearby goats rushed to the bakkie, expecting to be fed. There was much clicking of cameras, but alas no extra feed.
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