CROP sowing across Victoria appears to be in the home stretch, with the state's regions at various stages of completion.
Agrivision Consultants manager Kent Wooding said sowing in the northern Mallee was about 90 per cent completed, the central Mallee about 80 per cent and the southern Mallee was a "mixed bag," depending on the level of locust infestation.
Mr Wooding said most of the Mallee canola and pulse crops were sown, with barley and some wheat yet to be planted.
He said the top 10-15cm of soil was drying out, but there was 30-60mm of moisture in the subsoil for farmers who had good weed control over summer.
JSA Independent consultant John Stuchbery said Wimmera sowing was probably about 70 per cent completed.
"In general, the picture is very positive," Mr Stuchbery said. "It is ideal timing and there is good subsoil moisture."
Agvise Services agronomist Peter O'Loughlin said Western District growers were about halfway through their sowing programs.
Mr O'Loughlin said sowing progress was probably "more normal" than the past few years, where seasons had been drier than average.
Horsham district farmers Geoff and Nevan Rethus were about 90 per cent through their 3700ha sowing program across three properties.
"We have got wheat, canola, vetch and oats up," Geoff said. "We've just got a bit of barley to go."
They had also sown broad beans, lentils and chick peas.
Geoff said mice had been a problem on their Jung and Vectis properties but they had baited for the pest and now expected minimal damage.
"There is a lot of baiting (for mice) going on in the Wimmera," he said.
