While there’s been a good break throughout Victoria’s cropping belt, many farmers are concerned at the increase in the likelihood of an El Nino event developing and long range forecasts that point to yet another poor spring.

“Obviously spring rainfall is crucial, but I think we are getting better at conserving moisture and the last few years have seen farmers get better at turning a profit in years where there is little spring rainfall,” said Birchip Cropping Group extension manager Fiona Best,

“We need to take on board information such as seasonal forecasts, and take it on board, but we have grown crops in El Nino years before,” she said.

“On the plus side, we’ve had a really good start this year and farmers have set themselves up into the best position possible to get a profitable harvest.”

Ms Best pointed to changing management practices, such as summer moisture conservation programs and earlier sowing as ways that farmers were ensuring they got the most out of early season moisture.