Widespread rainfall across most of Victoria this week has provided hope for farmers who have suffered the lowest summer rainfall in more than 20 years.
The rainfall, which mainly fell in the North East ranges, was a welcome relief for producers, particularly in the South West region who experienced a hotter and drier summer.
Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) senior forecaster Rod Dickson said the State's North East recorded the highest rainfall totals over the weekend, with the top of 85 millimetres at Mount Hotham.
However, some Victorian stock agents said the rainfall was not an "autumn break", nor would it dramatically influence sheep and cattle markets.
Sharp Fullgrabe Bairnsdale’s Graeme Fullgrabe said the region received only 10-12mm, while Benambra fared better with up to 30mm.
Mr Fullgrabe said the impact should spur pasture growth before the worst of the cold weather set in.
“But there was no depth in the rain, there was no runoff. It settled the dust but we are not going to get any benefit from it,” Mr Fullgrabe said.
He said rain in the next month would be needed to provide pasture growth.
J&J Kelly stock agent Jack Kelly, Warrnambool, said the biggest problem in the South West had been unusually strong winds that had devalued feed quality.
“There’s not a lot of value in the old feed,” Mr Kelly said.
“The temperatures have been so high and the wind has been so hard on it.
“We are looking for another 50-100mm to get our season kicked off.
“It’s been a long, dry spell and it was certainly nothing which was really helpful. We are most grateful but it was not the autumn break.”
He said the impact of the dry season was not evident in the local herd.
He said farmers were able to turn-off cattle at 400 kilograms in a forward condition.
“Cattle with weight are quite good - they can get 60-100 day feeding - and can finish well,” he said.
‘But for the lighter, younger cattle, it’s going to be a lengthy period to get weight into them, with the shortage of feed.”
B R & C Agents’ Joe O’Reilly, Swan Hill, said the rain was not likely to affect the markets, and recent sales had not been any dearer.
“We need a good, big general rain of about an inch,” Mr O’Reilly said.
“Until we get that, not much will be happening.”
Elders’ Aaron Malseed, Hamilton, said although the rain was welcome, it didn’t mark the autumn break.
“Any fat store or prime stock that comes through the market will be rewarded,” Mr Malseed said.
“There is probably a lack of good, finished cattle about.
“It’s all about supply – the numbers have come back, with not a lot of lambs coming through into our local markets.”
Mr Dickson said much of the north of Victoria missed out on recent rainfall, with little chance of more anytime soon.
“I guess most rainfall totals, away from the ranges, were probably around five to 15 millimetres,” Mr Dickson said.
“Through parts of central Victoria and the central ranges, there were some 20-30mm falls.
“The area that missed out was the north-west, Mallee and northern parts of the Wimmera, which didn’t really receive any rain.”
A series of low-pressure troughs brought rain to the southern half of the state on Saturday, with a cold front passing through Victoria on Sunday.
Mr Dickson said there was nothing of any significance predicted for the coming week.
Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) Hamilton senior research scientist Steve Clark said falls up to 15mm were recorded in the Hamilton area.
“That is probably enough to allow subterranean clover germination and maybe enough to trigger perennial ryegrass to break dormancy,” Mr Clark said.
He said farmers would have to wait and see if there was enough follow up rain to keep clover seedlings alive and allow new ryegrass shoots to keep growing.
Mr Clark said the historical median date for the autumn break at the Hamilton research station was April 21.