Rain falls in Victoria including in prime cropping districts

Grain-saving rain has fallen across Victoria overnight. See how much was recorded — and more about what it means for cropping farmers.

GRAIN-saving rain has fallen across parts of Victoria overnight — and more is on its way.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the best rain in the 24 hours to 9am was in southwest Victoria with good falls also in the prime grain growing districts of the Wimmera and Mallee.

In southwest Victoria, Warrnambool led the charge with 56mm in the 24-hour period, ahead of Port Fairy (47mm), Casterton (35mm), Portland (33mm) and Hamilton (32mm).

In the Mallee, Walpeup recorded 27mm and Hopetoun 15mm while Edenhope topped the pops in the Wimmera with 33mm with Longerenong measuring 31mm, Horsham 30mm, Kanagulk 29mm, Nhill 24mm and Warracknabeal 21mm.

Wimmera farmer and Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said he had recorded 25mm on his farm at Murra Warra, north of Horsham, overnight and it was still raining.

He has received 339mm of rain for the year with 246mm falling during the growing season.

“(This rain is) tough for anyone with hay on the ground however what is missed out there will be made up with locking in the grain potential for the season,” Mr Jochinke said.

“Finally we have a spring that looks like it is working.”

In northern Victoria the best falls were at Tatura (30mm), Bendigo (25mm) and Redesdale (21mm). In the North East, Lake Eildon picked up 29mm, Strathbogie 27mm and Wangaratta 14mm while Yanakie was among the best performers in the east of the state with 32mm, ahead of the Latrobe Valley (23mm), Mallacoota (21mm), Sale (15mm) and Bairnsdale (9mm).

According to the BOM, the best rain today is expected to fall in the North East and southwest Victoria.

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