THE first decent rain in six weeks has been an "absolute godsend" for grain growers in the Wimmera and Mallee.

Nearly every part of Victoria and southern NSW received good rain in the past week, with far East Gippsland and the Riverina recording the heaviest falls.

Nowhere has it been more crucial than in the Wimmera and Mallee, where falls of 20-50mm have revived moisture-stressed crops and guaranteed germination for those sown in the past two weeks.

Victorian Farmers Federation grains group president Russell Amery said the rain was perfect for growers forced to sow late by the threat of locusts.

"It's been an absolute godsend," Mr Amery said.

Department of Primary Industries Swan Hill agronomist Rob Sonogan said the rain was a "guaranteed autumn break for everyone in the Mallee".

"Given the late sowing due to locusts, the timing of the rain couldn't have been much better to be honest," Mr Sonogan said.

"It just takes a huge amount of pressure off people because it will guarantee uniform germination and health of the crops for the next four to six weeks."

Peter O'Brien, who farms at Speed in the Mallee, said the rain had been a massive boost to farmers who had lost feed crops to autumn's locust swarms.

Mr O'Brien said the 30mm of rain he had received in the past 10 days was "just perfect" after he finished sowing lupins, wheat and barley on May 23.

"The timing (of the rain) was spot on and everyone up here is pretty happy now," he said.

DPI Horsham extension officer De-Anne Price said the rain was as equally crucial for Wimmera growers.

"It's perfect timing for getting crops germinating," Ms Price said.

"Temperatures are still warm so rapid growth is likely after this."

Birchip Cropping Group chairman Ian McClelland said the rain was "perfect for the Wimmera and for Mallee farmers".

"They would have preferred it two weeks ago, but because it was such good rain, there are grins from ear to ear," he said.

"With the subsoil moisture we got from the rain in November and March, crops are getting out of the ground quickly and it should be all systems go now."

Southern NSW farmers were also celebrating after receiving up to 70mm in the past week.

Elders Hay manager Bill Haygarth said farmers in his district were "very happy" after 44mm of rain during the weekend and 75mm for the month.

"The ground temperatures are still favourable and we've only had one frost so far, so we should expect to get some feed out of these rains," Mr Haygarth said.

Kent Burgess, who farms south of Hillston, said the 58mm of rain he had measured in the past week was "great".

"I don't know if we could get this country wetter," he said.

"We had good rain earlier on in the year and now this has topped it up."

On the Bellarine Peninsula, Elders Geelong real estate agent Ken Drysdale said the rain "should see us through the winter and we will only need a few showers now to get through".

"We've had a start to the season and everyone's sown now so this rain was absolutely the money rain," Mr Drysdale said.

Farmers in East Gippsland were also delighted after receiving up to 50mm in the past week.

Ensay cattle producer Barry Newcomen said the 25mm that fell on his farm over the weekend had been "fantastic".

"The season is very good," he said.

"We've got old, summer feed and fresh feed underneath.

"We'll be right into winter now."

National Climate Centre climatologist Blair Trewin said southeast Australia had enjoyed its wettest autumn in a decade and the past week's falls had helped push Victoria's autumn rain to slightly above average.

"Autumn 2010 looks to be about 3 per cent above the long-term average," Mr Trewin said.

He said autumn rain was well above average in northern Victoria and average to below average south of the Divide.

"Everywhere north of the Divide was above average and some areas along the Murray, particularly in the north-west, were 50 per cent above average," Mr Trewin said.