Bendigo water storages sit at more than 53 per cent full after above-average rainfall for most of this year.

However, the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has declared all producers in north-central Victoria eligible to receive exceptional circumstances payments until March 31 next year.

The department is not expected to review the region’s conditions until next year.

Agricultural Minister Joe Helper was cautious when talking about whether the drought was, in fact, over.

Mr Helper said state government drought funding would continue until a region was officially declared by the federal government as not eligible for exceptional circumstances.

“Clearly we’ve had terrific rainfall, particularly when compared to the preceding years.

“But rain falls on the ground – not into bank accounts.’’

Mr Helper said farmers would not see the benefit of rain until after the sale of their produce.

“That’s when their bank drought hopefully comes to an end.

“I don’t underestimate that many farmers continue to do it very, very tough.’’