Victoria and Riverina grain growers get confidence boost after rain

HEAVY rain across Victoria’s cropping regions has provided an early confidence boost for grain growers.

Day of Harvest 2014 Pictured: Harvesting canola on Eddy Rovers farm at Wunghnu. PICTURE: ZOE PHILLIPS

HEAVY rain across Victoria’s cropping regions has provided an early confidence boost for grain growers after a poor ­finish to the season last year.

Agronomists reported falls of up to 90mm and said that despite the added cost of summer weed control, growers were pleased with the widespread rain.

The Bureau of Metrology reported 74.8mm at Rupanyup for January, including 62mm last week, while Nhill recorded 66.4mm, with 30.8mm in one rainfall event last week.

Horsham had 64mm this month, Dimboola 66mm, Kaniva 55mm, Woomelang 54mm, Mildura 57mm, Wentworth, NSW 65mm, Yarrawonga 59mm and Corowa, NSW 66mm.

In the Western District, Bannockburn recorded 56mm in January and Skipton 44mm; while in Gippsland, Traralgon got 42mm and Bairnsdale 47mm.

Swan Hill-based Agrivision general manager Kent Wooding said the rain was valuable moisture for growers, despite the added cost of weed control.

“Growers will be concerned about spending money after a tough year but they realise it’s an investment for this year,” Mr Wooding said.

“Water-use efficiency from stored soil water is higher than the efficiency from in-crop rainfall.

“Most people are extremely happy to get it … it can give (growers the equivalent of) spring rainfall in the ground … which is fantastic.”

Chris Kelly said he had received 35mm and 38mm for the month at Woomelang which was a shot in the arm for farmers looking ahead to the new season.

“It’s fantastic rain and is a confidence booster in more ways than one,” he said.

He said it was a tough year last year for many, including farmers in the southern Mallee, but the rain gave him confidence the district might be able to turn the corner this year.

At Cope Cope, south of Donald, Colin Gilmour received about 60mm this month.

Mr Gilmour welcomed the falls, but said he would still prefer a decent spring rain which the district failed to get last year.

“Having some moisture in the ground is good,” he said. “We have found out over the last few years that (growers) who get summer storms, their crops hold on a bit longer.

“Every bit (of rain) we can get is good, but we will have to go and spray some weeds now.”

Mr Wooding urged farmers to tackle the weeds early.

“Spray the summer weeds early, we don’t want them stealing all those moisture and nutrients,” he said.

Victorian Farmers Federation grain president Brett Hosking said most growers were happy with the moisture.

“Some people are disappointed that they didn’t get as much as was forecast,” he said.

“But generally speaking (the rainfall) is positive. We like to see good falls in summer, it does generate weeds but they can be controlled.”