LOCAL farmers are overjoyed after steady soaking rain fell across the region from early on Sunday morning to mid-morning yesterday.
Many grain growers have sown their crops before the rain.
April concluded and May began with around 30 millimetres over three days and this latest rain event will consolidate much-needed moisture.
Cohuna received the largest district total, with 25.5 millimetres falling in a 48-hour period.
Farmers in the north-east of the Gannawarra municipality also benefitted, with Murrabit (22 millimetres) and Koondrook and Barham (20 millimetres) receiving significant falls.
Barham citrus grower, Neil Eagle was ecstatic with the rain.
It’s the right rain at the right time,” he said.
“It will be a tremendous boost to the farming area.”
Kerang received 16.4 millimetres, bringing the monthly total to 24.2 millimetres, just 11 millimetres below the long-term average.
It boosted the annual progressive total to 133 millimetres, which is also above the 136-year average.
The rain also benefited grain growers in the Mallee, with Normanville receiving 11 millimetres.
Grain grower, Geoff Kendell said that the steady rain was very welcomed.
“The rain will allow any crops to germinate, which means the timely sowing of Winter crops,” he said.
The week ahead is expected to be generally dry with a slight chance of rain today and tomorrow.
* ELLA SARRE is a Kerang Technical High School work experience student.
