General News
8 February, 2025
Wimmera farmers divided on recent rain
A stormy Monday night brought 12.8 millimeters of rain to Warracknabeal on February 3, offering brief relief from summer dryness but leaving local farmers with mixed feelings.
While the rainfall helped settle the dust and freshen up some crops, farmers across the region expressed concerns about its impact on their paddocks.
Brad Holland, a farmer from Bangerang, dismissed the rain as unhelpful. “It wasn’t helpful at all,” he said.
“Only great to keep bindi-eyes growing.”
Beulah farmer Brad Moore reported receiving only 1.5mm.
“It didn’t affect us much,” he said.
“It was windy, but luckily we didn’t get any fires started with it.”
In Sheep Hills, farmer Geoff Morcom acknowledged the rain briefly eased conditions but said it dried up quickly.
“The rain settled us a little bit, but hasn’t helped much,” he said.
“If there’s no rain now, it will be alright and will not hurt anyone I reckon.
“We love the rain in April and May.”
Meanwhile at Rupanyup, former rural store owner Adrian Tyler took a neutral stance after receiving 16mm.
“It was better to get some water in the tanks, and suitable for the garden,” he said.
“It may have freshened up some of the summer weeds, removed the dust, and made it better or easier for spraying.”
With the forecast predicting only a five percent chance of rain next week, many in the Wimmera region are looking ahead to the more critical autumn rains to support crops and pastures.