Given the severity of the drought the only green grass you are likely to find is under an irrigation sprinkler and even those are getting harder to find with each passing day.

So when founder of Burton Contractors Pty Ltd, John Burton was asked to undertake civil contracting work on a paddock full of grass he thought rather than put the earthmoving equipment in straight away why not make some hay and donate it to farmers struggling to feed their livestock.

This great idea showed yet again how community spirit can make such a difference to those on the land in these really tough times.

John has a special relationship to the Hunter, Valley, having lived in Singleton years ago when he owned a horse stud and still owns a farm in Medowie.

John's grand daughter Bella Burton said Burton Contractors latest project was the Oakdale West Industrial Estate (as civil contractors) and what better way to make use of the grass that once covered the land then be turned into hay bales.

"John had an initiative to cut up the hills covered in overgrown grass and bale it up to be donated to the farmers affected by drought," she said

"This is a matter very important to John, Paul, Chris and family and they are always prepared to help out the farmers wherever they can.

"Burton's was able to donate 350 rounds bales of hay to the farmers in Scone area up to as far as Willow Tree including some to Muswellbrook and Singleton, and hope that this will provide some relief as well as bring joy during the festive season.

"Burton Contractors would like to thank UCBC, Taylor's Heavy Haulage, Attcall and Ground Technologies for providing their services."

The hay was delivered just before Christmas with assistance from Doug Waddell, Mulgoa, who donated his time and truck to freight some of the hay to Singleton.

Liz Palmer, Mt Olive said it was a wonderful gesture by John who was thinking of the farmers that would benefit from this precious feed.

"Rather than wasting, he paid for a hay making contractor to bale and load onto trucks transporting 350 bales which have been distributed to drought stricken farmers throughout the Hunter."