Farmers helping farmers, that’s what the Rapa Feed Run is all about, Daniel Hansen says.
A few weeks ago when he and wife Sophie realised just how tough it was for Hawke’s Bay farmers with no feed and struggling to get stock off their farms with saleyards closed and delays at meat works they wondered what they could do to help.
Their solution was simple. If farmers in their neighbourhood could supply even just one bale of feed it had the potential to add up to a meaningful quantity for those struggling to feed stock further north.
The Hansens thought they might be able to co-ordinate a couple of truckloads.
Within 48 hours 300 bales were pledged. That soon went past 500 and by the time a convoy of eight trucks left Wairarapa, followed by another the next day, more than 630 bales of hay, straw and balage from about 100 farms were being trucked north.
The number of bales of all shapes and sizes including round and square balage, round and square hay and mini bales of balage has since gone past 1000, contributed from about 110 farms and lifestyle blocks.
Hansen drove the first truck in the convoy, something he says was pretty humbling, not only because of the efforts of Wairarapa farmers and trucking companies but because he’s originally from Hawke’s Bay himself, having spent 30 of his 34 years there.
He’s originally from the Maraekakaho area, about 20km inland from Hastings, having grown up, gone to school and farmed there and where he still knows plenty of people and they know him.
The small town was one of the places where the convoy stopped to deliver some of its bounty.
“It was pretty cool dropping it off in the area, knowing that it would make a difference to a farming family there.
“That was special.
“There was a heap of people there when we drove up to the monument in town and for me to be driving one of the trucks, which was pretty neat.”
Part of that was hearing “is he even driving one of the trucks?” from someone in the crowd.
The convoy was full of emotion before then.
Hansen says from the time it travelled north out of Masterton there were people on the side of the road holding signs, waving and showing their support.
It started at Mikimiki, about 10 minutes up the road, and continued into Hawke’s Bay and along State Highway 50.
“The trucks we were driving, they’ve never had their horns tooted so much before.
“I lost count. It was all the way through.
“The whole trip, we had a tear in our eye, it was absolutely awesome.”
Despite living in Wairarapa for only the past couple of years he’s impressed with the sense of community and desire to help others that exists.
Not only have farmers, agents and farm consultants got behind the initiative, trucking companies and their drivers have been crucial, drivers donating their time and companies their trucks, charging only a limited amount to cover road costs.
They include Reisima Haulage, Martinborough Transport, Harrisons Transport and Williams Trucking while Flat Point Station also provided a couple of trucks, including the one Hansen drove.
“It’s been fantastic. The people are hugely generous.”
He’s pleased to see the momentum that has gathered behind what started as a small number of farmers wanting to help.
“There’s been a real bow wave of support.
“At the start we hoped it might spur people in other regions on and that’s what’s happened.”
Rural communities in Taranaki, Manawatu and potentially Tararua are coming to the party with similar feed donations while help from rural support trusts in Hawke’s Bay and Wairarap has also been invaluable.
In the meantime, the Hansens are still fielding calls from farmers wanting to donate feed. As long as it keeps coming in and there’s a demand for it they will keep co-ordinating efforts to send it where it’s needed.
