PRODUCERS impacted by summer floods across the Hawkesbury region are set to benefit from fodder cultivated by inmates at one of the state's biggest prisons.
More than 75 tonnes of grass was grown at the Emu Plains Correctional Centre, which will go towards producers doing it tough since the floods.
The first 150 bales of sorghum, which weigh between 500kg and 700kg, will be shared between a Richmond beef producer and a dairy producer at Mulgrave.
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NSW Counter Terrorism and Corrections Minister Anthony Roberts said the silage would offer feed support to producers, whose crops or feed storage had been damaged in the floods.
"It will bring much-needed relief for our farmers and producers, some of whom have as little as 10 days of feed remaining for their livestock," Mr Roberts said.
"Our farmers have had it tough and we need to do all we can to support the hard working men and women across regional NSW.
"I thank the staff at Corrective Services Industries and Emu Plains who have come together to give back to the community and help those struggling."
Corrective Services NSW commissioner Peter Severin said the program had helped a small group of female inmates learn new practical skills.
"They have learned the process of taking care of the sorghum, assisting staff with preparation, weeding, irrigation and fencing," Mr Severin said.
"Initially the crop was being prepared for drought relief purposes but it's fantastic we've been able to divert this for another good cause."
Cattle farmer Jacqueline Leal said the donation was a blessing after a challenging time.
"It was really tough seeing my bales float away in the floods. I can't thank everyone enough for the help these donated bales will bring us," Ms Leal said.
Corrective Services NSW has partnered with Resilience NSW, the Department of Primary Industries and NSW Business Connect as part of the project.
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Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
