WIMMERA grain growers gathered at Taylors Lake Hall on the morning of April 16 to prepare for the fast-approaching grain growing season.
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Over a cooked breakfast, farmers listened to what Agriculture Victoria's climate specialists had to say about the season ahead.
Seasonal risk agronomist Dale Grey summarised recent climate model predictions for the next three months.
"My assessment of 12 climate models suggest most models are firmly sitting on the fence at average rainfall and temperature," he said.
"Pressure patterns over south east Australia have been normal or better indicating that it could rain, we just need all the ducks to line up."
Mr Grey said according to the Agriculture Victoria soil moisture monitoring network, cropping paddocks where weeds had been controlled had retained a significant amount of moisture.
This message was reiterated by seasonal risk agronomist Dale Boyd.
Mr Boyd said soil cores taken recently to ground-truth data from the soil moisture probe at Taylors Lake indicated the presence of soil moisture at depth, 30 to 100 cm.
"However, the paddock where the Taylors Lake soil moisture probe is located was in fallow in 2017, so this would have influenced the data," he said.
Mr Boyd reminded growers that there were a range of influences affecting soil moisture levels this coming season.
"It is recommended to test some paddocks as large variances are likely this year and will ultimately impact yield potentials," he said.
Plans were made for further meetings and workshops scheduled over the next 12 months, including a soil pit which will be looked at later in the year.