FARMERS across the region are collectively breathing a huge sigh of relief after the skies opened to produce one of the biggest local rain events in more than a year.
Swan Hill and Birchip shared the second highest daily rainfall figure across Victoria’s official records on Monday, each recording 28mm in the 24 hours from 9am on Monday.
However, some of the region’s farmers reported receiving even more.
It was the biggest rain event in Swan Hill since April last year, and it’s been well needed according to Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (ECODEV) agronomist Dale Grey.
“I’ve been driving around the Mallee a lot around the last week and the Mallee crops have been in varying stages of growth, but… farmers were really desperately in need of some rain for some crops to emerge properly,” he said.
“This rain means that these crops can last another three weeks without some rain.
“All we can hope for is that we are seeing a breakdown in the dry pattern… something wetter than what we’ve seen in the last couple of months.”
Lalbert grain grower Greg Allen measured 25mms on his farm and believes this amount will be enough to last him another month or so.
For more on this story, pick up a copy of Wednesday’s Guardian (May 17).
