Finally, clouds in sight for growers

Jane Emerick
Farmers across the Geelong region are welcoming May rain that experts predict to top the average this month.
Geelong Weather Services Lindsay Smail said a completed El Nino weather pattern and warmer temperatures in the Indian Ocean were likely to bring increased rain this month.
Mr Smail said the last time the region enjoyed similar conditions was 18 months ago.
However, aboveaverage rain would have to continue over several months to make an impact on West Barwon Reservoir in the region’s main catchment.
“The Otways would need 2000 millimetres over the next six months to increase runoff and get West Barwon more than half full,” Mr Smail said.
Torquay farmer and Surf Coast councillor Keith Grossman said he would take what he could get.
“This is really at the right time to get a break in the weather,” Cr Grossman said yesterday.
“It’s good for all types of things, crops, livestock, grass seed.
“Down here we have had a severe drought and everything has been affected.
“We really need this to ease the pressure.”
Cr Grossman said his farm received 18mm of rain in the last week of April, including 8mm on the weekend.
May was off to a good start with 4mm on Wednesday evening and yesterday morning, he said.
“You don’t know what will happen but at least when you get some rain at the start, it looks promising.”
Bellarine Estate winery owner Peter Kenny welcomed the rain although it had come late for his grapevines.
“We’ve already picked our fruit but the rain will fill the ground up and green the property in time for spring,” Mr Kenny said.
His Bellarine Peninsula property received 27mm in April.