‘We’re struggling and have been for a long time’

Farmers are celebrating after more than 15mm fell in parts of Victoria’s southwest and north. See where the rain fell across the state.

Victorian farmers stuck in a “green drought” had isolated falls up to 37mm of rain this weekend, with producers saying they need a wetter-than-average spring to make hay.

It comes as the Bureau of Meteorology reported hail “the size of ping pong balls” as South Australian farmers recorded up to 34 millimetres of rain on Thursday, before a high pressure ridge moved east across Victoria. The best falls in southwest Victoria from Friday were at Mount William (33.8mm), Portland Airport (21.2mm), Casterton (20.8mm) and Hamilton (18.8mm).

Northern and eastern parts of Victoria had isolated falls with the highest totals at Mount Hotham (37.4mm), Cann River (27.4mm), Hunters Hill (25.8), Orbost (25.8mm), Albury (22.4mm), Mount Buller (18.2mm), Lakes Entrance (18mm), and Redesdale (16.6mm).

The Wimmera had Edenhope (14.2mm) and Kanagulk (15.6mm), while Mallee missed out with the highest recording at Charlton (5mm).

Mount William Charolais stud principal Rob Abbott said they recorded more than 17mm over the weekend.

“It was a really good rain for us because we’re struggling and have been for a long time,” he said.

Mount William Charolais sale stud principal Rob Abbott. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

He said traditionally they were a reliable region, but needed to buy hay for the past few months. They received their autumn break in July, which normally happened in May.

“We were putting late barley in during July, which is unheard of.”

Mr Abbott said their hay crops were very short, and the region’s farmers needed a better than average spring.

“Looking on the positive, with this rain and hopefully a bit more, and some sun, hopefully September is good for us,” he said.

Woomelong sheep and cropping farmer Grant Kelly said while his region was “very dry”, there was good subsoil moisture and had growth to feed stock.

Mr Kelly said they had “about two spots” of rain on Friday, but hoped for good spring rain.

“We need spring rain, lots of rain,” he said.

Mr Kelly and his brother manage sheep, pigs and have canola, wheat, barley, cereals and lentils in this year’s cropping rotation.

He said their legumes and canola were lagging, with crops about three months’ behind normal growth.

“We’ve had seasons like this before, a long time ago, but it’s the first time I’ve seen it come up so patchy,” he said.

Nutiren St Arnaud livestock agent Kevin Thompson said it was a crucial weekend for crops with the weather, and any rain would be appreciated.

“Whether this rain is sufficient to secure the season, I doubt it, but it may change the weather pattern to bring something forward in the short term,” he said.