My annual journey into the high country on Tuesday showed me just how dry it is in East Gippsland.
While this is not the only area in this condition, it was interesting to see the difference to July last year.
In the two hour journey form home to Bairnsdale i passed three loads of hay on the long journey from north to the east.
Colin Jones, Wyndham & Co, was my chauffeur, and tour guide for the day, and wherever we went, high or low, flat or steep, we left no tracks, and two-wheel drive was more than adequate.
For all and sundry, who have asked the question, no, Colin Jones is not retiring.
Many areas of Victoria and the north east are in a similar position, but with June, and so far July, being the driest for many years, water is becoming an issue.
Despite all of this, many producers want a little rain now, but mostly in spring.
This annual journey has only gone to reassure me of the optimism and tenacity of producers, but the ongoing hospitality i receive year after year, only enhances the long hours of travelling.
While some of the higher properties we visited, Tuesday, can usually rely on some melting snow to lift pastures, unless there are clouds to produce snow, no of this can occur.
Having said all of this, the cattle i observed were in good stead, and some in condition equal to that of 2016, when grass was plentiful.
The question now is, will there be the competition that was seen at the annual Wyndham & Co, spring sale.
With much of Victoria and NSW in dry and poor condition for July, will producers be looking to purchase.
For many, this and other annual spring sales, are when they buy replacements, so they will make the journey again.
What id do find interesting this year, is the variations in the supply of cattle to saleyards. Many markets in Victoria are experiencing the lowest supply for years, for winter, but Wagga Wagga, Wodonga and many sales in southern NSW are tendering larger offerings.
A large percentage of these large offerings are yearling cattle, mostly in plain condition.
While the availability of fat cattle is scarce, prices are still falling.
Have we now reached the place where sales direct to processors giving sufficient supply, so that saleyard prices are now not setting the true trend?
Will we reach the end of August and feedlot supply is insufficient to fill the gap of slaughter?
