Decent rain fell across some areas of north central Victoria but the west waits

Farmers in Victoria’s west are on the verge of another green drought with reports of stock water and hay supplies getting scarce.

Much of western Victoria and South Australia is on the brink of entering another green drought winter, as a decent autumn break continues to allude farmers.

But other parts of central Victoria, the Mallee and into central NSW have had a good break, with up to 60mm falling along the north central Victorian border in the past week.

Most of the Western District and South Australia remain desperate for a decent rain.

Gazette cattle producer Nick Moyle said conditions remained “as tough as I have ever seen it”.

“(Stock) water is a real issue for some and hay supplies are getting scarce and high priced, the situation is becoming critical,” he said.

“If we don’t get a decent rain soon, winter will be another green drought.”

He said many bull clients across Victoria and SA had destocked to core breeders.

“SA is desperate for rain too, it is vital to get a follow up rain to keep what has germinated going,” Mr Moyle said.

Gazette cattle producer Nick Moyle. Picture: Andy Rogers

Further north, Hopetoun mixed farmer Tim Ferguson said his properties received 6-17mm on Anzac Day.

“We are going all right, we did have some good storms on the March long weekend and sowed sheep feed in those areas which is up and away,” Mr Ferguson said.

“We have been feeding stock and so will get started sowing (cropping program) and get into it this week.

“We haven’t had a enough rain really, it is a start, but we will need more in the near future.”

Birchip Cropping Group extension manager Grace Hosking said rainfall in the past week had been a mixed bag, with the Birchip region receiving 5-15mm.

Further into the Wimmera, Warracknabeal had 10-15mm, Horsham 5-10mm while in the eastern Mallee, towns such as Swan Hill had 40-60mm.

“For those growers, that is an early break as our break in the Wimmera Mallee is normally mid May,” Ms Hosking said.

“But for those who got lower rainfall areas, there is still some nervousness and cautiousness about the season.”

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Meteorology’s long range forecast, issued last week, predicts below average rain for the coming three months was likely for parts of Australia’s east and southwest, and most of the north.

Originally published as Decent rain fell across some areas of north central Victoria but the west waits