Farmers in the region have had solid yields despite a wet summer

Towns in the region have received significant rainfall this summer with Stawell recording more than 110 millimetres and Ararat recording around 90 millimetres across January.

This rainfall comes in stark contrast to the hot and dry January 2020 where Ararat received just 30 millimetres and Stawell received 20 millimeters.

Grain and livestock farmer Sam King said he and his team had been working hard to manage the different conditions at his farm north of Tatyoon.

Mr King said the extra rain had caused some grain harvesting delays, reducing some of his grain test weight and increasing the risk of weeds in his crops.

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"It had its challenges, but we all got through it and it ended up being a pretty good harvest," he said.

"Last year's growing conditions were very good, we had a gentle, soft spring with adequate rain and not too much heat so our yields were very solid, but it was just the summer rain which gave us some delays.

"We have finished our harvest now, and I think most people are, and I think the main challenge was logistically, organising staff and other things like moving the grain. You just didn't know what was going to be happening from one day to the next.

"It (the rain) interrupted harvest, we had quite a lot of harvest delays, but we didn't have too much downgrading with our grain. Having said that we did lose a bit in test weight as a result of the rain.

"To put it in perspective, our wheat was averaging 78-79 test weight and after the rain we were back to 72-73 so we lost about five to seven per cent just in the weight we can sell.

"We have also had to ramp our summer weed management within our program, which means we've got extra summer sprays.

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"From a summer management program point of view, there's just going to be more spraying and weed management to get rid of the Green Bridge.

"Last summer we had to do some (spraying), but not as much as we will need to do this year, so our inputs are going to increase as a result."

Mr King said the extra rain was giving his livestock extra green feed, but if heavy falls continue through summer, it may create sowing problems in autumn.

"As far as the livestock goes we are tracking pretty well, we have green feed and our Lucerne stands are also benefiting from this rain so things are ticking along," he said.

"The other challenge will we will face, depending on how wet it gets, will be our sowing programs and the trafficability.

"If its too wet this will mean there will be a greater chance of having tractors bogged and having trouble getting seed and fertiliser in the paddocks with heavy machinery.

"On the other hand, autumn can be notoriously hot and dry, so we still have that ahead of us, we just don't know what's ahead in the forecast.

"That's the game we play, every year is different but you've just got adjust your management to fit with the season," he said.

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