Locals rally around to help a farmer diagnosed with prostate cancer finish two months' work in a day

A farmer diagnosed with prostate cancer has been left overwhelmed after his small community rallied round to lend a hand on his farm following his devastating news.

The rural town of Acton Park, near Busselton in south-west Western Australia, banded together after finding out 45-year-old dairy farmer Brett Milner had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Members of the community of all ages dug deep and managed to cut and cart 60 hectares of silage in just one day - a job that normally takes up to two months for Mr Milner, ABC reported.

Mr Milner and his wife, Jo, were taken aback by the support that saw about 40 locals complete the work.

"For me, to have all of these people to do this work, is something I can never repay them for," Mr Milner said.

The dairy farmer revealed his shock when discovering he had prostate cancer, something he thought only affected the older generation.

"I myself thought it was just one for the old fellas, but the more I've gone through the testing just made me realise it's really important that you listen to your body."

He wants to warn others not to ignore signs of illness and to take action straight away.

"I was just like every other stubborn farmer, I was feeling a bit sick and thought, 'Oh well, I'll just plough through it'," he said.

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The event was organised by his fellow farmer and friend Ian McGregor who said it was the least the town could do to support a pillar of the community.

"He's done a lot for the community and the kids and his involvement in the junior footy - this was an opportunity to repay him," he said.