Farmers in Victoria are facing excess rainfall before a dry summer.

Abundant rainfall in several districts of Victoria is contributing to soil moisture accumulation, yet it is creating logistical challenges for farmers. In some areas, waterlogged soil prevents machinery from entering the fields, which hinders crop tillage. In particular, a four-day period of heavy rain in late June and early July led to the flooding of low-lying areas.

Precipitation data for the current year has exceeded annual averages: 410 mm was recorded at the farm in Prairie, and 348 mm in Werrimull. Over the past week, Prairie received about 40 mm of rainfall, while Werrimull saw 25–30 mm. Damien Gerrans, a farmer from the northeastern part of the state, noted that the past weekend brought nearly 100 mm of moisture to his land, forcing him to move his livestock to higher ground.

The prevailing weather conditions have increased the risk of crop disease. Simon Craig, a consultant at Agronomise, emphasized that this has led to a shortage of fungicides, forcing farmers to seek alternative products. Since the necessary plant protection products are protectants, they must be applied before signs of disease appear. Difficulty accessing fields is forcing farmers to resort to aerial application using drones and helicopters. The cost of such services significantly exceeds ground spraying: approximately $24–26 per hectare versus $8–10 when using a tractor.

Dairy farmer Craig Dwyer from southwestern Victoria confirmed that he is expecting a helicopter to arrive for fertilizer application mid-week, as his fields in Bullaharre are in the queue for treatment. Despite the challenges, farmers note that the accumulated moisture creates good potential for the harvest. For example, at the farm in Werrimull, according to Mr. Hocking, provided there are no frosts, yield figures could be at or above average levels.