Rain quenches Prairie grain crop’s thirst

After rain this month a Prairie grain grower’s season is looking promising.

Heads up: Prairie grower Russell Hocking is hopeful the good August rainfall will mean above-average crops and a better result than last year. Picture: Zoe Phillips.

RAIN in the past few weeks has given a much-needed boost to Russell Hocking’s grain crops.

The Prairie grower and Victorian Farmers Federation grains Bendigo representative, who produces wheat, barley, canola, vetch and oats, has had the best start to his season for some time.

“We had a fantastic start to the season, but it didn’t rain after sowing,” Mr Hocking said.

In July, the Bendigo area received just 14.6mm, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, compared with 34mm the previous July.

But for August, up until last week Bendigo received about 51mm, and now Mr Hocking’s crops are back on track to have what is hoped to be an above-average season.

“We had a great start, the middle was dry, but they are now on track to have an average or above average year,” he said.

Mr Hocking’s crops are in a better position than this time last year, but an extra douse of rain will be needed to get them home.

“At the moment we are having a better season than last year, but we still need one more good rain,” he said.

Mr Hocking said the pick of his crops this year was vetch.

“Our vetch in particular is looking exceptional. It doesn’t need any more rain. It has enough moisture now to get it home,” he said.

“Our canola is also looking good this year.

“Everything is in a really good position.”

And for most crops spanning the Bendigo area, Mr Hocking said soil moisture levels were looking “fantastic”.

“There is the potential to have an average to above-­average crops throughout the area,” he said.

“There is a slim chance of having a below-average, although it’s not impossible.”

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