Victorian farmers greet rain but face flood-related crop challenges

Heavy rain this week has brought both relief and new problems for growers in regional Victoria, with totals of up to 150 mm prompting flooding in low-lying areas. Some western farms report losses of about 15 % of their crops, and Russell Hocking, who operates on properties at Prairie near Bendigo and Werrimull west of Mildura, fears an additional 10 % could be lost if the soil remains saturated. Both properties have already exceeded their average annual rainfall, receiving 410 mm and 348 mm respectively, and are now confronting heightened disease pressure that is straining fungicide supplies.

Agronomist Simon Craig advises growers to act quickly, noting that aerial spraying with drones or helicopters now costs roughly $24-$26 per hectare, more than double tractor-based applications. Dairy farmer Craig Dwyer is waiting for a chopper to treat his Bullaharre paddocks, while cattle farmer Damien Gerrans in north-east Victoria celebrates full dams despite having to move his herd to higher ground after the recent deluge. The outlook includes an anticipated strong El Niño pattern, making the timing of drying periods crucial for the upcoming spring sowing season.