The Duke and Duchess of Sussex got their hands dirty feeding cattle when they visited a drought-stricken farm east of Dubbo.
Today the royal couple arrived at Mountain View, a fifth generation family farm established located about 20 kilometres east of Dubbo, known for stud breeding and sheep rearing and is run by the Richard and Margaret Woodley Family.
When Prince Harry and his wife Meghan arrived they were greeted by a mob of sheep, and appeared taken back by their condition.
The royal couple then got their hands dirty, throwing cotton seed onto hay feeding their heard of cattle.
The Duke and Duchess finished the tour of the family farm with a morning tea prepared by the Wongarbon CWA, however it was the hand-baked banana bread which was prepared by the Duchess of Sussex as a token of thanks to the Woodley family which stole the show.
The couples son, Scott and his wife Elaine have four daughters, Laura, Elsie, Benita and Kate and live on the adjoining Kurrajong Park property.
They are a fifth generation family of sheep graziers who have been farming the land since the late 19th century.
While the Royal couple brought the English rain, it's not enough to make up for what has been described by many as the driest period in living memory. More than 580 millimetres falls on Dubbo in an average year.
Yet in the first nine months of 2018 the region's landholders have received just 118.2 millimetres.
However fourth generation of the property Scott Woodley said the royal couple could see the impacts of the green drought, and was interested in the significant increase of seed prices.
"They were very interested in the time we've had in the last two year's," Mr Woodley said.
"They seemed to understand exactly what we're going through. It might seem green here now but they realise there's no moisture underneath so they were very interested."
"they were very interested in the cotton seed and the hay … and were very surprised how the cost of the grain went through the roof to $600-$700 a tonne," he said.
Forth generation farmer Laura Woodly, who plans to take over the family property said it was an "honour and privileged" to have the royal couple visit, saying they could see the vast impacts of the drought, and said she looks forward to the future of their farm.
"We have out good days and our bad days, but we're getting through it and it will rain," Ms Woodley said.
"I'm excited for the future and whats going to happen. We've got lots of plans for the property but we need it to rain to start doing something," she said.
This story Meet the Dubbo farm visited by Prince Harry and Meghan first appeared on Western Magazine.
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Nyngan Observer
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