Large areas of Gippsland, particularly to the east, are suffering through drought, and as a result, many producers have had no other option but to sell stock early.
Little to no rain back in autumn 2018, followed by a dry winter, set the scene for the current drought.
The drought took well over 12 months to manifest itself, with some areas of the region teased by small amounts of rain.
For some areas, there has been no follow-up rain, while some parts are still to finish bailing hay.
However, the picture north of Omeo and from Cann River to the east is slightly rosier than this.
Many producers from Traralgon through to the border have been left destitute by these conditions.
Most have spent tens of thousands of dollars on hay and/or grain to keep their livestock alive.
For some, it has meant culling their herds, starting with older cows, but inevitably going deeper as the drought continued.
March is still a long way away for many producers in the high country.
Judging by the number of producers who have sold their calves already, at Barnawartha and Bairnsdale, it has become too difficult and expensive to hold them over.
However, it is not just East Gippsland in this dilemma.
Unless a farmer has irrigation, pastures in most of Central Gippsland are in drought too.
The only difference there is that water sources are in better stead than further east.
March heralds the annual Mountain calf sales, where there is normally close to 10,000 calves sold.
David Hill, Elders Omeo, said he remained confident of having 7500 cattle over the two days of their sales.
But with plenty of calves out of the drought areas of Ensay and Swifts Creek at Bairnsdale, and Brad Obst, Landmark EGL, said there could be more to come.
“If it stays dry for the foreseeable future, we will see another wave of calves from the high country in Bairnsdale’s next two sales,” Mr Obst said.
With water now becoming the bigger issue, producers could have to make some big decisions.
One Flynn producer has agisted 100 dry cows, and said this was the worst year he had seen in his time.
What do you think? Comment below.