Some Victorian farmers are hoping for a drier July, after heavy rain over the last two months is now threatening to waterlog paddocks.
And the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) has warned a wetter than average growing season, in the southern region, could impact on crop management over the coming months.
Korumburra dairy farmer Colin Dowel runs a 370 cow herd and said from the beginning of May until the end of June, his farm had received 300mm of rain.
“We have mud up to our knees – things have turned around, in a hurry,” Mr Dowel said.
He said he had been using a soil key renovator to prepare his pastures, which now had a “huge bulk of feed.
“It’s looking pretty good at this stage, but we still have to get a spring – that’s what wrecked us, last year.”
Hay and silage stocks were down, leading into last summer, which hit many producers.
Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Michael Efron said only drizzle and light showers, were predicted for the next few days.
“That activity will mainly effect south western Victoria, as well as the ranges, over the next day or so, then we will have a strong cold front, moving through, on Thursday,” Mr Ephron said.
“We have a moist west to northwesterly flow from a high pressure cell, well to the north, so we are not seeing much clear sky.
“Wednesday will see the winds picking up form the north, ahead of the next system, which will assist in drying things out a little bit, but with such low temperatures, it will not be of significant assistance.”
Western districts prime lamb producers were also reporting an excellent start to the season.
Tyrendarra prime lamb producer Kate Joseph said the region was having “a fabulous season.
“A few people on the lower country are saying it’s a little bit wet – I don’t think so, I think it’s perfect,” Ms Joseph said.
Pasture was growing, after falls of 100mm this month.
Coojar lamb producer Tim Leeming said the property probably had its wettest May in 10-15 years.
“We had 130mm for May and we are probably at bit over 80-90mm, for June,” Mr Leeming said.
“We are starting to get run off into the dams, so pasture growth is high – we are in the top five per cent for pasture growth for May and June, with really good soil temperatures.
“We’ve had very few frosts, apart from a few cold days, when it was nearly snowing, it’s been great, a really good start.”
Mixed farmer McKenzie Craig, Nathalia, runs lambs and grows cereals, canola, lucerne and ryegrass, at his property, Llanreath.
He said the bureau’s forecasts were accurate this season, unlike previous years when clouds would come over but not produce rain.
The property had received 178.8mm for April, May and June.
“We won't crack 200mm by end of June but (it will be) close.
“I would say we are probably at about right amount of rain - certainly, on the heavier ground, there is some water logging but what you lose on waterlogging on a few little gullies will well and truly be covered by rest of the paddocks,” Mr Craig said.
“Further west, where the soils are lighter, they have almost had too much – they are desperate to get on and do some spraying and top dressing.”
He said his agronomist wanted a few weeks of fine weather, so he could get out on the paddocks.
“He said ‘I can’t drive on the paddocks, they are too wet and I would make a mess, and even if I did write up a recommendation, there’s no point, because I know you can’t get on, and do the job’,” Mr Craig said.
He said he was sure the soil moisture profile was now full.
“As soon as it rains, you get almost immediate run off.”
The GRDC advised croppers to make necessary adjustments to their management programs.
GRDC Southern Regional panel member, Peter Kuhlmann, encouraged growers to refer to the suite of GrowNotes to support them through to harvest and beyond.
“GrowNotes are an incredibly valuable resource that growers can easily access via the GRDC website at www.grdc.com.au/GrowNotes,” Mr Kuhlmann, a grain grower from Mudamuckla on South Australia’s west coast, said.
“All the information growers need on wheat, barley and canola management is at hand, and given that a wetter-than-average season is forecast across south-eastern Australia, many growers may be looking for extra support as they deal with the agronomic consequences of increased rainfall.”
Mr Kuhlmann said a wet winter could particularly impact on early-sown crops in terms of pests and diseases, thereby limiting yield potential.
“Water-logging is another issue that some growers are likely to have to deal with, along with crop nutrition.
“While growers are advised to seek professional support from their local agronomist if they are having to contend with certain problems, GrowNotes is a complementary tool that offers useful information to support their decision-making and directs them to the industry experts.”