REGION - One decent rainfall is all that separates crop farmers at both ends of the region from a good season, but rain continues to elude the area as crops enter critical growing stages.
While the situation is dire in the north of the state, crops in the region are drawing on subsoil moisture in order to survive as farmers hope for substantial rain to finish crops off and increase yields.
Friday's rain was the weather system many were hoping would bring enough rain to tide crops over until the end of the month, but a mere 2.8 millimetres fell in Ararat.
Twelve rainfall days saw 41.2 millimetres of rain fall over Ararat during September, with the largest rainfall day, September 2, receiving 13 millimetres.
Ararat recorded 30.4 millimetres of rain in September 2007, with the amount halving in October to 14.2 millimetres.
A total of 326.6 millimetres of rain has been recorded in Ararat to the end of September, 127.6 millimetres down on 2007's figure at the same time.
Lake Bolac farmer Peter O'Rorke said rainfall in the area was down 152 millimetres on the same time last year, with another 254 millimetres required to take the figure to an average.
"The way the patterns are going they seem to be peaking off the south west corner of Western Australia and the highs seem to be too dominant,'' Mr O'Rorke said.
"We just can't seem to get one of those rains where you get 25 to 40 millimetres.''
Crops around the area are hanging on reasonably well, however Mr O'Rorke said it would only take a few days of drying weather to start affecting them.
Mr O'Rorke, who grows barley and wheat and runs sheep on his property, said rainfall over the next month will play a critical role in determining the yield his crops produce.
While land in the area looks green, Mr O'Rorke said pastures are also crying out for water.
Mr O'Rorke is still feeding out to his stock, which at this time of the year is not a good indication for the months ahead.
"The paddocks look nice and green but there's no bulk in them at this stage,'' Mr O'Rorke said.
"We've had a little bit of movement with the few warmer days we've had but we probably need it to rain moreso on the pastures now than the crops.''
The ever-changing weather continues to perplex many, with a frost on Saturday night a worrying start to the month for Willaura farmer Bruce Fleming.
Rainfall in the area has been well below average, with the three millimetres recorded on Sunday barely enough to dampen the soil surface.
Mr Fleming said the frost, coupled with the dry weather, could cause crops to fold up reasonably quickly.
"I wouldn't say the crops are desperate, but we're definitely looking for some rain,'' Mr Fleming said.
"If we get more windy days again we'll be looking for a big rain.''
Mr Fleming said September's rainfall was a big disappointment, with only 30 millimetres recorded for the month, well down on the region's averages.
Mr Fleming, who grows canola, wheat, barley and oats on his property, said he hoped to get some returns on his crops, but believes poor rainfall in October would see crops go downhill fast.
"The crops have still got the potential to be quite good if we get a decent rain in the next couple of weeks, but we'd like it as soon as possible,'' Mr Fleming said.
Buangor cropping manager Tim Gubbins said crops around the area were `teetering on the edge' somewhat, but were benefiting from reasonable moisture levels in the ground.
Mr Gubbins, who manages barley, wheat and canola crops, said he was relatively happy with how the crops were shaping up.
"They're definitely on track and where I would've expected them to be, but the crops are growing so vigorously at the moment that they need as much rain as they can get,'' Mr Gubbins said.
With rainfall in the area remaining below average for another year, farmers have turned to alternative methods to survive the drier times.
"We're definitely not in traditional times so we have to think outside the square a bit,'' Mr Gubbins said.
The next few weeks will prove critical for the success of crops, however Mr Gubbins is reasonably confident of getting a return.
"The crops are at a position now that they'll start at a very basic level, and then the more rain we get the better yield we'll get,'' Mr Gubbins said.
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