THE grain harvest has begun across much of Victoria, marked by poor quality levels in many early crops.
Graincorp corporate affairs manager David Ginns said the first wheat was harvested near Mildura last week, and the barley harvest was well under way across most of the Mallee.
"Some has made malting quality, but a lot will only be feed," he said.
"Most barley from the northern Wimmera is coming in at F1 to F3 and the southern Mallee is reporting 'almost' malting quality.
"Once the eastern Mallee starts, we will be expecting to see more malt 2."
Mr Ginns said rain delayed the harvest in central Victoria by five days and caused damage to some hay that had been drying on the ground.
Strong wind, hail and rain also damaged barley crops south of Horsham.
Mr Ginns said the canola harvest had begun in the north of Victoria and southern NSW, with farmers windrowing crops.
"Oil levels have been disappointing," he said.
"The quality has been variable with levels ranging from 28 to 35 per cent."
Recent rain had freshened crops in western Victoria.
"A lot of crops have been cut for hay, but there is still hope for some people," he said.
"Some of the rain has helped crops that are yet to finish so there could be a bit of extra grain fill between now and harvest."
