Widespread wet weather has all but dashed hopes for a better than average season.
"Frustrating" is how the members of the Ultima Landcare Group are describing the 2010 grain harvest.
Widespread wet weather has all but dashed hopes for a better than average season as each rain event brings with it an increased likelihood of grain quality degradation and financial penalty.
And after years of drought and subsequent poor yields, disappoinment has been compounded by the fact that, prior to the rain, farmers were recording some exceptionally high yields.
The mighty Murray River is running a banker at Swan HIll with the river red gum forests being flooded and the Lalbert and Tyrell Creeks recieving flows for the first time in years.
Although the Summer rainfall has disrupted the grain harvest, the vegetation in the Mallee has never looked better. New growth and flowering Mallee trees are providing the birds and insects of the Mallee with a valuable feed source.