Almost non-existent rainfall over winter has left central Victorian farmers in need of a heavy spring rain which is unlikely to come.
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Dry conditions are likely to continue through to December according the the Bureau of Meteorology’s seasonal outlook released last week.
Farmer Courtney Hazeldene has been waiting since before winter for a break in the weather.
Ms Hazeldene runs Murray Grey Cattle at Marong, Lockwood and Newbridge. Having given up on the winter break, she’s now hoping for a good spring rain.
This year rainfall has been almost non-existent.
“It’s very dire,” Ms Hazledene said.
“We’re several months behind where we would like to be this time of year.
“We’ve still got a little bit of feed around, but the dams are looking dry and close to dry now.”
Any rain they do get may be too little, too late. Forecast higher temperatures are likely to see spring rains dry up almost as soon as they hit the ground.
But 100 millimetres would at least fill the dams.
The Bureau’s seasonal outlook warns that the dry weather is likely to continue into October to December.
Bendigo has just a 35 percent chance of exceeding its median rainfall of 120 millimetres during the period.
The dry predictions come on top of a warm, dry winter.
Bendigo received a total of 127.8 millimetres of rainfall during the past winter, nearly 30 millimetres less than average.
Statewide rainfall was 19 percent below the winter mean of 203 milimetres.
Ms Hazeldene has seen worse conditions, but not for at least ten years. While farmers in the area are in a better position than most, she said, the mental strain on many was exceptional.
“This is probably the beginning of something, it could be something bad,” she said.
“We’ve seen it before and we’ll see it again, we’ll get through it, but it makes it tough.”
Warmer than average days are also likely across Australia for October to December according to the Bureau’s outlook.
Bendigo is very likely to exceed its median maximum temperature of 24 degrees during the period, and likely to exceed its median minimum temperature of 9.9 degrees.
These high temperatures are likely compound the effect of the dry.
“If we get rain soon, and the higher temperatures come with it...any growth from the grass that might have occurred ordinarily under those conditions won’t happen,” Ms Hazeldene said.
“The grass will just be burnt off, so you’re not going to be able to grow feed.”
If the conditions continue Ms Hazeldene will be forced to sell some of her stock.
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