ARARAT is counting the cost of another dry month.
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Just 36.3 millimetres of rain fell in August, which is historically the wettest month of the year.
The August total was 31.7mm less than the long-term average 68mm.
It was also the town's driest month since March with irregular underwhelming 24-hour rainfall totals of no greater than 4.4mm.
Ararat has now recorded 320.9mm of rain so far in 2015, 63mm less than the long-term average cumulative total of 383.9mm.
It is the second consecutive year that Ararat has recorded below-average rainfall for the month of August.
The town received just 30mm of rain in August 2014, the lowest amount for that month since 2007.
It is also the seventh month of below-average rainfall in 2015.
Despite slightly exceeding its average rainfall total in May, Ararat failed to reach mean totals in both June and July.
A Bureau of Meteorology report has found large parts of Western Victoria, including the Ararat region endured a severe rainfall deficiency for the 34 months, October 2012 to July 2015.
Ararat recorded below-average rainfall in 28 of those 34 months.
The prolonged dry spell is beginning to take its toll on industries and sectors of the community that are most vulnerable to drought.
Mount Langi Ghiran Vineyards general manager Damien Sheehan said he is concerned by the prospect of an El Nino weather event.
El Nino is usually associated with below-average winter-spring rainfall and above-average daytime temperatures.
"It is a real concern, we haven't had any substantial rain throughout winter," he said.
"If we don't get any soon it is going to put pressure on how we manage our vines.
"It has been really dry and we don't have a lot of water in reserve."
Lake Bolac farmer Colin McKenzie said those on the land enter spring with a very serious rainfall deficiency.
Mr McKenzie said he had recorded 24mm of rain in August, half the long term average 58mm.
"It is serious, at the moment it could go either way," he said.
"If we receive average rainfall in each month of spring, the crops might come up alright.
"However, the sheep feed is already very short and a further lack of water run-off into our dams would be catastrophic.
The BOM has predicted an even chance of Ararat exceeding average rainfall in each month of spring.
"We need to see a very big turnaround,” Mr McKenzie said.
“We need to be in a position where we have sufficient water in the dams for the summer.”
