Dry sowing continues as early frost hits with some hope for weekend rain

Farmers in Milawa and the north east continue dry sowing despite little rain and some early frosts.

Farmers are doing everything they can to shore up stock feed in what is progressively becoming a dry season.

King Valley agricultural contractor Sam Bray said there had been demand to sow pasture and ryegrass for both dairy and beef cattle, and silage later on.

However, overall, people were still on tenterhooks about winter sowing.

“There is a slight chance we could see some rain this weekend, but it really depends on whether that comes through or not,” he said.

Mr Bray said his region had already experienced frosts and more were forecast this week.

“We could hold out for 10mm of rain on the weekend, and then not see anything,” he said.

Sam Bray is sowing pasture crops at Milawa. Picture: Zoe Phillips

After sowing ryegrass at Milawa, using an airseeder to direct drill, he said conditions were certainly dry.

“There is some soil moisture, but it’s dry on top.”

IK Caldwell, agronomist, Paul Lavis said that despite what was a tough season, there were pockets that were doing well.

“We do have a base of moisture underneath,” he said.

Mr Lavis said most farmers in his area would be finished sowing by the end of this week.

“Some of the earlier sown crops are coming through and emerging on what soil moisture was already there,” he said.

Mr Lavis said canola, which was sown during the first week of April, had reached the full ground cover stage.

The region has experienced late breaks in the past, and rain came as late as June 3 back in 2005.

“In 2005, there were 5 tonne (a hectare) wheat crops grown after that late break,” he said.

Mr Caldwell said at this stage there wasn’t any re-sowing of early sown crops.