RAINFALL totals have fluctuated throughout the state in the past week, with some farmers only receiving minimal amounts, and some receiving more than actually needed.
In western Victoria, Hugh Caldow, Edenhope, received 10-15 millimetres of rain in the last week, and said they could quite easily do without any more until October.
“We’ve been wet since April. We got six inches in about five weeks, and the last two months have been like September and October, so we’ve got feed everywhere,” Mr Caldow said.
“June was dry, but it was good that it was dry. We were very wet by the end of May, so we didn’t need much more.”
He said they have received another three inches in the past four to five weeks, and currently have an abundance of feed.
“The sheep only graze on about 25 to 30 per cent of the property, so the rest of the feed is just growing and growing,” he said.
In central Victoria, Rodger Kemp, Toolleen, said things are also going well, having received 50mm of rain in the last three weeks.
“We were relatively dry before, so we were lucky to get about 30mm of rain in one week, and then it kept raining, we’ve had 12mm since last Wednesday,” Mr Kemp said.
“The crops that were struggling are starting to look good, the grass is revived, and the livestock are happy.”
He said they wouldn’t need much more until September.
“A dry winter tends to suit farming in our area, as long we get a wet September,” he said.
“Once the weather starts to warm up, it will quickly dry up, and we’ll want substantial rain then.”
In the Mallee region, John Watson, Berriwillock, said things aren’t looking as good.
“We’ve had 10-15mm in the last three weeks, 4-5mm in the last week, but we’re beginning to need a decent rain,” Mr Watson said.
“August will be a critical month, the early crops are well-advanced, but the later crops will become under pressure when the weather starts to warm up.
“At this point in time, a good 20mm of rain is really needed to reinforce the season.”
Down in west Gippsland, Wayne Luke, Glen Alvie, said they have received slightly below average rainfall, but still reached 80mm for the month of July.
“The animals have been getting into the grass, and we’re just about almost out of it, but we’ve been alright because we’ve had plenty of hay,” Mr Luke said.
“We’ve had 38mm since last Thursday; it rained Thursday night, then on Sunday, and then we got a bit overnight on Monday and Tuesday.”
