GIPPSLAND croppers began sowing dry last month but are rounding off their programs this week with a little more confidence after receiving just enough rain to kick start growing.
Goon Nure producer Tony Murray has planted close to 400ha this year including winter wheat, lupins and canola. He was getting the last of the barley into the ground last week.
"We started sowing in the second week of May and it was very dry but we are of the attitude that it won't grow in the shed and at least it has a chance if it's in the paddock," he said.
"We have now had 18mm of rain for June, which is enough to get the crops germinated and up."
Growing conditions have been extremely challenging for farmers in East Gippsland over the past few years with floods in 2007 and drought last year.
Mr Murray said the "very dry" winter and spring conditions last year resulted in the worst yields since drought in 1972.
During the flood year wheat crops averaged about 3t/ha but last year scraped just 0.8t/ha.
"It was a double whammy last year because we had high costs with fuel and fertiliser and then we had low yields," he said.
Gippsland farmers need more gentle rain within three weeks to help push crops along.
"I have no idea what the weather will do but you've got to be in it to win it," Mr Murray concluded.
