Ideal start to cropping season boosts germination

Rain has been evenly spread out across Victoria, with crops beginning to germinate and growers in a favourable position.

Perfect position: Victoria has had a lot of rain and decent crops as a whole, says Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke,

SOME crops across Victoria are beginning to come out of the ground following a bumper start to the season.

Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said conditions for the state’s grain growers had been favourable and crops were
germinating south from the Mallee to the Wimmera.

“There are a few people putting urea out and nitrogen on early crops,” Mr Jochinke said.

“The ones up and going are the ones that were dry sown and now have ideal moisture,” he said.

And Mr Jochinke said this year’s rain was more evenly spread out, compared to last season.

“Last year we had a good start after good December rain (the previous year),” he said.

“But this year is better as it is more evenly spread out. Victoria has had a lot of rain and a lot of decent crops as a whole.”

But Mr Jochinke said after a welcome downpour across Victoria, some areas were now too wet and hoping for no more rain.

“Some areas are too wet around Rutherglen and they aren’t looking for more at the moment,” he said.

“It is a bit too wet there but that is a good problem to have.”

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Some areas also still required more rain, he said, to help boost growth in the winter months.

“The southwest of Victoria typically receives more rain than what it has got now but growers aren’t crying out for more,” Mr Jochinke said.

“Areas of Gippsland also wouldn’t knock back more rain.”

For growers who started their sowing programs early, sowing for the season had finished or was close to finishing up, Mr Jochinke said.