WA growers urged to donate to Aussie Grain4Ukraine appeal

WA growers have been urged to donate to the Aussie Grain4Ukraine appeal this harvest — but they will have to follow a different process than farmers in the Eastern States. National lobby group Grain Producers Australia set up the appeal in April in a bid to deliver humanitarian support to farming communities in the war-torn country, after Russia’s invasion. Cunderdin grower David Fulwood, who sits on the farmer-led GPA sub-committee formed to co-ordinate the fundraising campaign, said he wanted as many growers as possible to support it. But he reminded those in WA the process was different under the delivery system used by the State’s main grain handler, CBH Group. “Growers in WA who deliver grain to CBH do not use the NGR (National Grower Register) system that’s used by other growers in the eastern states,” he said. “With harvest under way in WA, it’s timely to make everyone aware of the difference in CBH’s system and how they can make donations using their Loadnet accounts. “This will help to ensure all growers can make a contribution to our fundraising appeal with a minimum of fuss, to help support other farmers and communities in Ukraine.” Eastern States growers can donate grain via a dedicated Grower Delivery Card, registered to GPA, in the NGR system. In WA, growers can deliver grain in their own name through the normal process, with the transfer of donated grain then made by logging into the growers’ Loadnet account. Growers can then select “donate” on the “nomination” drop down menu. Under the “charity” drop down menu, growers can then select “AUSSIEGRAIN4UKRAINE” and choose to donate either their entire load or a portion of it. “A few tonnes of grain donated from this Aussie harvest will make a huge difference for people in the Ukraine, to help them get through this terrible crisis and support recovery efforts,” Mr Fulwood said. Money raised will go to the UN Crisis Relief’s Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, the World Vision Ukraine Appeal, the World to Rebuild Rural Ukraine program and Oxfam International. It will be spent on programs to help Ukrainian farmers and their communities with long-term recovery efforts. Farmers have also been urged to show support by flying the Ukraine flag on machinery during harvest and sharing photos on social media with the #AUSSIEGRAIN4UKRAINE hashtag.