THE SEASONAL contrast in Victoria could not be more pronounced.
Gippsland is enjoying a fantastic autumn, with dairy and livestock producers and croppers rejoicing. It is a different story in central and western regions, where falls for the month are less than 5mm in many areas.
In the east, Bonang and Bruthen posted a substantial 145 millimetres and 103mm respectively in the week to Monday while Bulluumwaal, north of Bairnsdale posted 167mm. This is a far cry from the Mallee where Ouyen posted 1mm, while Birchip and Quambatook remained completely dry.
Department of Economic Development Jobs Transport and Resources' seasonal risk agronomist Dale Grey said it was still "early days" in terms of expecting the traditional autumn break, but Victoria's major grain growing regions needed rain urgently.
"The Mallee and Wimmera have next to no sub-soil moisture at all," he said.
Farmers around Bendigo are also crossing their fingers for rain soon, with the region posting just 2mm during the past week.
In Gippsland, falls were around 50-75mm in the Orbost Valley.
Mallacoota received 95mm and there were minor flood alerts on the Genoa, Cann and Snowy rivers.
Beef breeders Mandy and Kevin Dean were happy to receive 100mm at Ensay and Ken Stuart, Mt Taylor, finished baling his last cut of lucerne and had it shedded the day before it started raining.
At Bengworden, grain producer Trevor Caithness received a neat 100mm.
"We've been waiting for a decent fall of rain – at least 20mm – to strike annual ryegrass and emerging cape weed so we can spray and sow," Mr Caithness said.
"We've got a lot of country that's set up for a winter cropping program.
The 100mm totally filled the soil profile, according to the moisture monitors. It got dry over the summer but in one rain we've recharged back to full."
Mr Caithness is gearing up to plant long season winter wheat first.
