Rain welcome for crops in critical growth stage

Rainfall over the next few weeks will be critical for some crops in Victoria. See how soil moisture levels are tracking across the state.

On-track: Central Victoria and North East Victoria crops’ soil moisture levels are tracking well, Agriculture Victoria grains agronomist Dale Boyd says.

CROPS in Victoria are at their critical growth stage, and while some regions had a substantial boost in moisture last month — rain is still needed in coming months for others.

As of Monday, about 50mm of rain fell across North East Victoria for August — according to the Bureau of Meteorology — and Agriculture Victoria grains agronomist Dale Boyd said profiles in the areas would be back to full or near full if the rain hit wet profiles. “Central Victoria and North East Victoria are tracking well,” Mr Boyd said.

“They have established a good profile all winter and have had a good top up in August.

“They have high yield potential but they will still need finishing rain.”

But Mr Boyd said the 25mm to 35mm of rain hitting areas in the Wimmera and Mallee, would have either just filled their moisture deficit created in July — which was a drier than average month — or made some “very small improvements to moisture levels”.

He said for the Brim and Lah district, crops were 35 per cent drier than this time last year.

“These areas would welcome more rain in spring and the earlier in September the better,” he said.

Mr Boyd said it was unusual to see moisture deficits occur in July, but because of good crop growth and a dry July, crops experienced this at many of the sites in the Wimmera and the Mallee this winter.

For crops in south west Victoria, Mr Boyd said most have full profiles, however some areas had been too wet and will be looking for some clearer days.

“Crops across the state are at the their critical growth point and for early sown crops like canola or vetch they have a big biomass,” he said.

“Canola is flowering now while wheat and barley will flower half way through September.”

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