In the western Riverina region of NSW, Hay is
one of Australia’s major wool growing areas.
The town itself is built beside the
Murrumbidgee River, part of the Murray-
Darling river system; Australia's largest. The
main business district of Hay is situated on the
north bank of the river.
Away from the river Hay is surrounded by flat,
mostly-treeless plains, predominately of grey
clay and red earth soils. At the 2011 census, Hay
township had a population of 2,298. Hay is one
of Australia's leading wool growing and sheep
meat producing areas. Cattle are also
produced for sale for slaughter and, in recent
years, for sale to feedlots for fattening. In
irrigated areas, crops such as lettuce,
pumpkins, tomatoes, garlic, corn, rockmelons,
watermelons and broccoli are grown, picked
and packaged in the area. Hay is also the
leading producer in the Riverina of safflower,
lettuce and broccoli. In recent years, rice and
cotton have been produced in Hay.