Regular showers are keeping Victorian grain crops primed, but Mallee farmers are still holding out for soaking rains to top up soil moisture levels before spring.
Steady rain has set the platform for above average yields, with vegetative conditions at the start of August the best in three years.
But some Mallee farmers are conscious that more rain is needed if crops are to realise the current potential, with some areas only sitting on 30-40cm of moisture.
Last week, the weather bureau said most of eastern Australia was likely to see above average rainfall from August to October.
Forecasters are now ramping up expectations for Australia’s 2016-17 wheat crop. Grain prices continued to soften last week as global and domestic markets reacted to forecasts of abundant supplies.