DAIRY and horticulture farmers are feeling the brunt of the devastating floods across Victoria and southern NSW in the past week.
There are fears the heavy rain could lead to fungal disease on winegrapes as harvest continues, and mastitis problems in dairy cows.
Katunga dairy farmer Daryl Hoey expects fodder and disease to be the two major issues as the slow-moving flood heads north.
"I know of a farmer who has lost 1000 tonnes of quality feed," Mr Hoey said.
"Some herds have been moved because dairies have been flooded.
"Disease issues in stock, like mastitis, are going to be a concern for weeks," Mr Hoey said.
Dairy Food Safety Victoria chief executive officer Catherine Hollywell said as of Monday evening, she knew of nine dairy herds that had been moved due to flooding and were milking in other dairies.
She said about 100 dairy farmers were expected to be affected during the next two weeks as flood waters moved across the state.
Chris Pfeiffer, of Pfeiffer Wines at Rutherglen, is a quarter way through harvesting their winegrapes.
He said it was the third vintage in a row affected by rain.
Mr Pfeiffer said while the extent of the latest damage was unknown - "we haven't been able to get out in the paddocks yet" - there were concerns the moisture could lead to fungal diseases.
Cobram orchardists Noel and Bev Fisher said people still harvesting stonefruits "would be doing it fairly tough".
"Quite a few of the old timers are saying it is a start to the year like it was in 1956 when there were big floods," Mr Fisher said.
The pears, apples and stonefruit harvest in the Goulburn Valley will be delayed.
VFF horticulture group president Sue Finger said the pears were almost finished, along with peaches, but the apples were in full swing.
"With all fruit the time of harvest is important - growers pick at the optimum time and this is certainly going to cause problems."
Dried Fruits Australia extension officer John Hawtin said crop damage would cost growers $100-$120 a tonne, Mr Hawtin said.
