Bureau of Meteorology figures show that so far this month, Horsham, Longerenong and Hopetoun are yet to record any rain.

Warracknabeal has had 0.1mm so far this month, Natimuk and Nhill have had 0.2mm and Goroke has had 0.8mm.

It comes after a dry February, with Hopetoun receiving 0.4mm, which is two per cent of the town’s monthly average.

Nhill received 1.8mm in February, Warracknabeal received 4.2mm and Horsham received 5mm.

Bureau senior forecaster Tom Delamotte said the region was drier than usual for this time of the year.

“February was below average as well, which has continued in March,” he said.

“Most places in the region have received less than 20 per cent of their monthly rain totals for this time of the year.

“If we don’t get significant rain before the end of the month, it will be the second driest February-March period on record for Victoria.”

A new farm confidence survey has found Wimmera growers were nervous about how the season would unfold.

Rabobank’s latest rural confidence survey showed Victorian farmer confidence levels had dropped to their lowest level since late 2015 – following a two-year run of strong positive sentiment.

Rabobank southern Victoria and Tasmania regional manager Hamish McAlpin said despite seasonal uncertainty, the long-term fundamentals for agriculture remained unshaken.

“Last year’s season was pretty good, although late season frosts had a large impact on crops in the Wimmera,” he said.

“Farmers are now wondering ‘what’s around the corner’ as they hope for good autumn rain to set them up for winter and this season’s cropping program.

“While it is still early in the season and there is a bit of time yet – with the average break in late April – this year’s outlook all really hinges on when, and how much rain, falls in the rain gauge during autumn.”

The Wimmera region has experienced its driest start to a year since 2014 according to Longerenong College weather station statistics.

Longerenong weather statistician Brett Allender said January and February had been the driest since 2004.

He said Longerenong received 4.6mm in February, which was the lowest since 2012.

Mr Delamotte said the region could see some rain on Thursday.

“It will probably be at most between 2mm and 8mm,” he said.

“There could be some isolated areas that receive up to 15mm.

“There is also a slight chance of a shower on Friday and similar for Sunday.”

Mr Delamotte said the region could receive between 1mm and 3mm on Sunday, but most of the rain would fall in the south west of the state.

“We aren’t in for any big rains, but there will be windy conditions,” he said.