The first weeks of winter have seen brief days of showers that farmers have welcomed, but local producers are still holding fast amid a “very anxious” future.
Over the first two weeks of June, Pakenham has received about 50mm of rain. Approximately the same level of downpour seen throughout all of April and May.
However, it’s too little, too late for many farmers as the frost has set in and the sun has retreated in the wintery nights.
Furthermore, the recent rain has been patchy throughout Cardinia.
This month’s most prolonged downpour so far was on the weekend of 7 and 8 June.
Tynong North cattle farmer, Cameron McIntyre, didn’t see his rain level reach the double digits.
“Lots of rain will just create mud anyway, so it will have no impact now in winter,” he said.
“It’s a very anxious time for farmers; there is not enough hay, it’s a massive issue.”
He bought feed early in the year and is currently managing it cautiously. Hard feed is being deployed for most of his cattle as his stock of hay is being prioritised for his pregnant cows.
He said feed prices are still steadily going up and are limited between producers. After talking with many other farmers, he described this winter as “survival mode.”
“I think that’s the same for everyone, people are anxious about running out of feed,” he said.
Victorian Farmers Federation Cardinia Branch President Tony Morgan agrees on the situation with feed.
“The availability is another issue, because of floods in the north and drought in the west, just getting anything is a problem,” he said.
“It’s not uncommon to see $300 round bales and big square bales can be as high as $500 to $600 a ton.”
As much of the feed is being transported interstate, freight costs are an additional burden. Mr Morgan suggests that the state government subsidising freight would be handy.
Crops and paddocks contrast with those in western Victoria, which was a site of jubilation after receiving the lion’s share of recent downpour.
Regardless, winter is in full swing and soil temperatures are getting too cold for any growth.
Mr Morgan has been “scrounging” feed, with enough now to see his Bayles farm through to August.
After that, it’s hoped the rains will pick up for the initial spring growth.
“If there is no rain, we are out of business, and there are a lot in that situation,” he said.
“The impact will be far longer-reaching than the here and now, it will be into next year by the looks of it, and if we don’t get a good spring, then we are in trouble.”
Down in Officer South, beef producer Meat Me at the Gate had a more benevolent treatment with the recent rain, with about 15mm over the last week.
It hit a sweet spot between too little and too much. Owner Simon Beard hopes these mild conditions will continue through winter.
However, he knows a farmer can never expect things to be perfect, as they are currently spending about $1500 more than usual, each week, on feed.
“It’s worth the risk, and we just hope for a couple of nice sunny days now, not too many frosts, half an inch of rain here and there, a mild winter,” he said.
He has been to farmers in Tonimbuk who didn’t receive the same level of rain, despite this he observes that people remain steadfast amid uncertainty.
“Reasonably positive, everyone is still pretty positive,” he said.
“It’s dry and it’s about perspective, it’s a good opportunity to make sure you are utilising your feed and not wasting it.
“It’s about being smart; there are a bunch of good lessons to learn during dry periods.”
