WEST Wimmera farmers continue to pray for rain as the region’s record dry spell continues.
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The Bureau of Meteorology’s latest drought statement shows west Wimmera has experienced the driest 12 months on record.
Since July 2014, Kaniva has record 268.4 millimetres of rain, down from the long-term average of 442.8mm, Goroke received 336.4mm, the average is 503.6mm and Nhill received 236.2mm, the average is 326.1mm.
The bureau’s statement shows other parts of the Wimmera has received a severe rainfall deficiency in the past year.
Horsham has received 238.2mm since July 2014, the average is 372.1mm, Warracknabeal received 259.2mm, the average is 394.7mm and Rupanyup has received 341.8mm, the average is 421.9mm.
Nhill farmer Andrew Colbert said confidence in farming this season appeared to be as low as he had noticed for many years.
“I have already used the d-word this season - drought,” he said.
“But the season can change, as it did last year.”
Last year farmers celebrated above average rainfall in autumn.
“Then spring came along and it stopped, so it has the ability to do the opposite this year,” Mr Colbert said.
He said while it was very dry at the moment, crops were looking okay.
“It shows how far we have advanced in agriculture to have had little rainfall, but we have still be able to get crops up, out of the ground, and looking as good as they do.”
Goroke farmer Andrew Robertson said everyone needed more rain at the moment.
“It’s definitely drier than last year,” he said.
“The crops are looking quite good considering, but we need more rain soon.”
Mr Robertson said he was growing wheat, barley, canola and beans this season.
Murra Warra farmer and Victorian Farmers Federation vice-president David Jochinke said there were predictions of a dry finish to the season.
“At the moment, we aren’t looking too bad, it’s probably about an average season,” he said.
“However, reports of an El Niño are scaring farmers about what’s going to happen down the track.”
The bureau is predicting a 30 to 35 per cent change of average rain in July and a 50 per cent change of average rain in August.