Many were disheartened and alarmed at the detrimental effect the unseasonal October/November hot weather had on their crops.

While the total yearly rainfall is still lower than average, any rain is good rain and last weekend's 39.6mm in Ararat was received with a communal sigh of relief.

Rod Laidlaw from Tatyoon/Yalla-Y-Poora said that any crops that are still green will benefit from the soaking. He received 44mm at his farm which takes his yearly rainfall up to 440mm. While this is below average, Mr Laidlaw said that it is a vast improvement from the 370mm he received last year.

''It was a perfect season up until mid-October, but the hot spell did some damage. All crops had huge potential coming into November,'' Mr Laidlaw said.

Bruce Fleming from Willaura agreed, saying that all his crops were going quite well until the severe hot weather in mid-October.

Mr Fleming said the 25mm he received over the past week will only help his crops, especially wheat that was planted later in the season. However, wheat planted earlier in the season may have been badly affected by the hot weather.

''Wheat we're a bit worried about, it might not fill properly because of the heat. The rain will help, but if it had have been three weeks earlier it would have helped more,'' Mr Fleming said.

Canola, oats and barley should remain unaffected, though Mr Fleming said no-one can be sure until they begin harvesting next week.

Colin McKenzie from Lake Bolac said most of the rain has fallen in the growing season, and he has received around 470mm this year. Before the drought, the yearly average was around 540mm, but has decreased over the past decade.

Mr McKenzie said that the effects from the 27mm that fell in Lake Bolac last week will be revealed next week when harvesting begins.

''Canola is still one week away, possibly some of the oils could have been stripped but you can't be sure,'' he said.