Tim Demeo looks to the skies for spring rain

Raywood farmer Tim Demeo is grateful for the seasonal conditions so far and says a 120mm between now and October would provide an ideal finish.

Raywood farmer Tim Demeo is grateful for the seasonal conditions so far and says a 120mm between now and October would provide an ideal finish.

His winter crops have received 150mm of in-crop rainfall, and a total of 250mm has fallen since Christmas Day.

“It has been a pretty good year for us,” he said.

“To finish things off, we just need two really good rainfall events between now and the middle of October.”

Falls of 30mm in the middle of May were perfectly timed for the winter crops, which include canola, wheat, barley, oaten hay and vetch.

Barley thriving at Raywood near Bendigo. Picture: Zoe Phillips

“They are all looking well but canola is probably a bit behind where it should be,” Tim said.

The aim is for the barley to make malt grades. However, it was still considered early days.

In addition to the crops Tim also runs Merino ewes and prime lambs. He said if anything the pasture was struggling.

He said there was a shortage of good-quality feed for people finishing prime lambs.

“The sheep are certainly finding it a bit tough, and throughout winter there hasn’t been a lot of growth,” he said.