RAINFALL throughout Victoria has been welcomed by farmers.
In the Orbost Valley, dairy and beef farmer Chris Nixon, Bete Bolong, said the rain was very timely.
"We had a very dry March and we look for an autumn break between the March long weekend and Anzac Day," Mr Nixon said.
"This rain has been very timely.
"We've been pretty busy so I don't have an accurate measure but we've definitely received more than 100 millimetres.
"The ground is still warm so we'll get lots of pasture growth before winter.
"It's set us up well for winter."
Mr Nixon's view was echoed in central Gippsland by dairy farmer Adrian Whitakker, Dennison.
Mr Whittaker's farm received 80mm in the first fall after Easter and some of his paddocks were inundated with water up to half a metre deep.
However, follow-up rain has been light and the water has receded this week.
"We needed it," Mr Whittaker said.
"It means we won't have to irrigate this season and has saved us diesel and staff time.
"We probably won't have to irrigate again until September."
The NSW south-east country has also benefited.
Neil Lynch, Cooma, NSW, said 100mm had fallen at his property in the past fortnight.
"It's meant shearing has been held up a bit as we've had to wait for sheep to dry but overall it's been good," he said.
There were soaking falls in North East Victoria.
"We had 15mm in the previous week and a good general rain – 20-40mm – throughout the district last Friday," sheep farmer Rod Cavill, Alexandra, said.
"We were extremely dry.
"The ground is still warm and we're already seeing good germination in the pasture.
"It's probably two weeks too late but we'll take it."
In the Ovens and King valleys, it was a similar picture.
"It's the break everyone's been looking for," Ross Cavill, Wangaratta, said.
"We've had a dry, extended summer.
"Our last rain was in January with none, really, since.
"The dairy farmers, cereal growers and guys who sow improved pastures are out getting their crops in already."
