Dry spell hits Shepparton as rainfall plummets below average

The dry spell has continued into May, with no rain recorded in the first 13 days, despite the month typically bringing around 35.3mm.

In stark contrast, March delivered an unexpected 58.4mm — well above its monthly average of 33.9mm. But it was only a temporary reprieve.

Victorian Farmers Federation United Dairyfarmers of Victoria president Bernie Free said the state’s farmers were facing some of the driest conditions seen in decades.

Congupna farmer Craig Reynolds, who manages 1700 hectares of land, 1200 of which are irrigated, said the conditions had placed intense pressure on their operations.

“We try to grow two crops a year. It’s been challenging recently,” he said.

“There’s not enough moisture in the soil to germinate the crops properly.

“We’ve had no rain for two months, which is pretty unusual.”

Mr Reynolds grows wheat, canola, faba beans, and cereal hay in winter, and maize in summer.

He said the delay in sowing maize due to heavy December rains already set back their planting by 20 days, now the dry conditions were compounding the challenge.

“You’re looking for a decent profile of moisture by now to grow a decent crop,” Mr Reynolds said.

“We’re buying some carryover water — that’s our insurance if this dry spell drags into winter.

“But it’s very risky irrigating this late.”

Still, Mr Reynolds maintained a pragmatic attitude.

“We can’t complain too much because the weather is beautiful to work out in,” he said.

It’s not just farmers noticing the changes.

Riverside Gardens co-proprietor Larry Smith said the dry weather had visibly altered the growing season for plants and trees.

“The season has shifted,” he said.

“Deciduous trees that should be bare by now are still in full colour,” he said.

Mr Smith pointed to an oak tree on the property that, unusually, had not even begun to change colour.

“It should be completely dormant by now — but it’s bright, vibrant green,” he said.

Despite the dryness, garden centres such as Riverside Gardens are exceptionally busy.

“We’re still doing our normal autumn watering, and all the flowering plants are still looking really good,” Mr Smith said.

“We’re actually carrying more stock than usual because our sales haven’t dropped.”

But that comes at a cost.

“We’re throwing around a lot more water,” Mr Smith said.

With no rain forecast in the short term and local soils already hardening, the hope is that winter will bring some much-needed relief.