NO END IN SIGHT TO DROUGHT PAIN

A TOOWOOMBA dairy farmer has said the Darling Downs is currently experiencing its worst drought since the 1960s.

“We’re going to need a miracle to get out of this,” Boodua farmer Ashley Gamble said. “That’s how bad it is.

“The drought is putting a lot of pressure on myself and my family. I’ve only got feed to last this afternoon. I don’t know when the next lot is coming.”

‘‘ WE’RE GOING TO NEED A MIRACLE TO GET OUT OF THIS

ASHLEY GAMBLE

A TOOWOOMBA region farmer has said he is overwhelmed by the support from the community who has rallied behind him in the drought.

Boodua dairy farmer Ashley Gamble and his family launched a GoFundMe donations page to help out with the cost of feed for their cattle, as the cost was getting too high.

“It’s a matter of survival, we had no other choice, no options left,” Mr Gamble said.

“It’s that or we sell our cows, we sell our farm.”

So far, the GoFundMe has raised about $24,000.

“To know there are people out there willing to help us get through the tough times, it makes it a bit easier,” Mr Gamble said.

“The drought is putting a lot of pressure on myself and my family. I’ve only got feed to last this afternoon. I don’t know when the next lot is coming.”

More than half of Queensland, including the Toowoomba region is currently drought declared.

The fifth generation dairy farmer, who runs one of the largest dairy farms in the state, said because of the quality of feed dropping since the drought began, his cows were now producing less milk.

“Milk production has dropped in half, at a time when the price of feed is up three times,”

he said.

“Fuel is up, power is up, rates are up, it never ends.”

Mr Gamble has also offered calves up for donations to Aussie

Helpers or Drought Angels, to stop him from having to put them down.

“I get nothing for the bull calves,” he said.

“I get a bill if I take them to town, otherwise I have to shoot them.

“It’s the nature of life now, that’s the way it is. You take them to town, you get $5 for them, to put a tag in them is $4 plus the yard fees to sell them, you’re losing money.”

Mr Gamble, who has shared his story right across the world, said he was always looking for good quality feed like oats, barley and lucen for his cattle.

“We’re going to need a miracle to get out of this,” he said. “That’s how bad it is. “We’re going to need a miracle.”