Central Victoria's storages at 97 per cent but farmers struggle with wet paddocks

Key facts

Storage capacity: 97 per cent as at August 4, 2026
Early June storage: around 53 per cent
Coldest day in 2026: 9.2 degrees on July 26-27
Coldest overnight minimum: -2.4 degrees on July 18
July rainfall in Bendigo: 66mm
June rainfall in Bendigo: 110mm

Background

Central Victoria has experienced an unusually wet winter, with heavy rainfall, fog, and freezing temperatures. In Bendigo, July brought the coldest day of 2026 so far, with the temperature failing to reach double figures from 9am on July 26 to 9am on July 27, topping out at just 9.2 degrees. The coldest overnight minimum for 2026 occurred on July 18 when the mercury plunged to -2.4 degrees.

The wet conditions have filled water storages. In early June, authorities were warning of the possibility of water restrictions this summer with storage levels sitting around 53 per cent. However, Coliban Water's combined catchment storages are now at 97 per cent capacity as at Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

Current situation

Despite the full storages, the rain has created problems for farmers. Severe disease pressure, yellowing crops, and waterlogged paddocks are forcing Victorian grain growers into a high-stakes waiting game following a week of patchy rainfall. Lingering moisture from early-winter deluges has left machinery bogged, post-emergent spraying delayed, and growers turning to aerial drones to stem outbreaks of cereal rust and canola blackleg.

LKF Contracting owner Luke Felmingham, Invergordon, said the recent system had brought another 15 millimetres of rain to already wet areas. "Six weeks ago in the Rochester, Elmore and Bendigo area, the rainfall was up around 70mm," he said. "It is exceptionally wet there - there are still plenty of people sinking their sprayers and spreaders in paddocks." He said crop growers were spraying fungicides for rust in cereals and blackleg in canola. "There is disease everywhere this year," he said.

Monthly rainfall in Bendigo (2026)
Month	Rainfall (mm)
January	3
February	58.8
March	106
April	11.2
May	56
June	110
July	66

Figures as reported in the source.

Impacts

The wet conditions have delayed essential farming operations. Western AG agronomist Spencer Weir, Horsham, said the rain was becoming too much for some growers. "We have a few patches of lentils that have started to go backwards," he said. "They are going yellow because of too much moisture." He noted that crops are a long way ahead of where they normally are, which opens them up to frost risk.

Growers in the Wimmera and Mallee need some time without rain "just so we can get some jobs done," according to Mr Weir. There is a fair bit of spraying which has been delayed. The Bureau of Meteorology is warning of hotter temperatures and drier conditions as we move out of winter, which could further stress crops.

Future outlook

Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.

The forecast remains uncertain. Mr Felmingham expressed concern that once the rain shuts off, it might stay shut off. "We don't want to scare the rain away too much, we would still like a little bit more in a few weeks, but we are happy to wait," he said. The last decent falls recorded at the Bendigo Airport rain gauge was 14.8mm on July 12, with patchy rain since then.

If drier conditions materialise as forecast, farmers may finally get the window to complete delayed spraying and other jobs. However, if the wet weather persists, disease pressure and waterlogging could continue to affect crop health. The full impact on yields remains unclear at this stage.

Source: bendigoadvertiser.com.au

AMRIT EXPLAINER