Horsham has received barely half its average monthly rainfall for February in 2019, but it's no cause for alarm for farms surrounding the town.
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On Thursday, the Bureau of Meteorology reported the city had seen 11.2 millimetres fall across the month, compared to the 22.1mm that usually falls.
Out at Natimuk, wheat, barley and broadbean farmer Brian Uebergang said he had received 8.5mm.
"Rain at this time of year is not as critical, but we certainly want some opening rain in March to break down the chemicals we've put down to control weeds," Mr Uebergang said.
Not only is rain at this time of year not critical, but not ideal, according to Longerenong farmer Alex Ellifson. The area received 29mm on February 7, 22 of which fell in half an hour alone.
"It's meant I've had to go out and kill weeds in one paddock for a second time, after we got 80mm during harvest in December," he said.
"I've got to try and keep the paddock as clean as possible so water and nutrients stay in the ground for when the crops are sowed."
The bureau also released its 2019 autumn climate outlook on Thursday.
It suggested Horsham, Nhill, Warracknabeal and Stawell all had a 40 to 50 per cent chance of wetter than average months between March and May. This was a better rainfall outlook than anywhere else in Victoria.
As is the case for much of Australia, warmer than average days and nights are expected across the Wimmera in autumn.
Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
