SUMMER rain is having an impact on fodder demand.

While a narrow coastal strip is still green and capable of continued pasture growth, the recent rain is not ideal for all farmers.

But it will assist irrigators of summer forages.

There are some paddocks of millets and forage sorghum along the Murray River this season as irrigation allocations are a little better than the past few years.

Water authorities are considering the impact of recent rain and inflows into reservoirs.

There have been falls of as much as 150mm in parts of Victoria's North East since the new year, which could equal more water for irrigation.

Irrigators on the Murray system in Victoria have a 60 per cent allocation, while the Goulburn system has a 50 per cent allocation.

Irrigators in the Broken, Loddon and Campaspe systems have zero allocations.

Storage levels in the Campaspe's Lake Eppalock storage are still less than 8 per cent.

Paddocks north of Mortlake are dry and rain in northern areas will reduce the quality of standing feed.

Rain has spoilt some large square bales which are yet to be stacked into sheds.

Throughout central and northern Victoria there is a small percentage of hay paddocks that have bales stacked five-high. The quality of the top bales has been compromised and rain has also spoilt lower bales.

Hot weather this week will suit contractors and farmers who have had a frustrating hay-making season.

Wet conditions have delayed hay operations, but the burst of hot weather should provide a good baling window.

There has been no 10-day hay making windows without rain in southern Victoria this season.

The tail end of hay baling continues in southern districts.

Some windrows of hay still remain in paddocks between Horsham and Nhill. Its quality will have been compromised by its exposure to multiple rain events.

Hay trading remains quiet.

Vetch hay is one exception as dairy farmers in the Murray and Goulburn valleys purchase a steady stream for their milking cows.

Merchants report that their dairy clients are now more confident they will be able to improve the level of nutrition for their cows this season.

Regular step-ups among milk processors are underpinning farmer confidence that they will be able to feed purchased feeds to maximise milk production.