Whilst much of the state had another early autumn break, there has not been significant follow-up rain in some areas and recent frosts have dropped soil temperatures lower than last year.  

In this newsletter, we have provided a snaphot across the state of soil moisture and temperature and recommend that you click on the links through the report for sites listed or access the dashboard (link at the bottom).

Compiled by Jane Court, Dale Boyd and Raquel Waller

Perennial pasture species depleted the soil moisture reserves with below average decile summer rainfall that continued the dry trend through March.

After generally good rains across the state in April, the map shows that soil moisture in the upper layer was average or above for the time of year.  As indicated by the soil moisture probes, some areas have been drying since, due to pasture growth initiated by April rainfall but now plant water use requirements are exceeding rainfall in May (evident by the rainfall percentages map below -  for May to date). These areas need rain now. This is particularly the case with some of the central Victorian sites such as Tottington (phalaris) and Raywood (lucerne) that are dry. Conversely, the Greta and Dartmoor sites have good soil moisture to depth due to follow up rain recieved after the autumn break and through May.   

The map shows the warmer air temperatures (minimum is mapped) around the coastal areas. The soil probes are showing also that soil temperatures are colder  - one to four degrees less - than the same time last year.  This is declining further with the onset of some recent frosts which we have discussed in a previous newsletter. 

Sites with adequate soil moisture, may consider earlier applications  of winter boosting products this year. Areas with drying soil moisture profiles and low soil temperatures will need follow up rain soon to get dry matter responses.

Nic White, Baynton

The early break meant we could get on to paddocks and spray in preparation for some autumn sowing pastures.  We were feeling pretty confident in April/early May as soil temperatures were good and we had the moisture.  We have been sowing some perennials – ryegrass and phalaris – as well as some pure clover as a clean up.  Although it has got a lot colder and has been dry, we have soil moisture at depth and the bits of rain and heavy dews we are getting are keeping the top moist.  

Mick Griffin, Lake Rowan

Soil Moisture Probe Gecko Clan Landcare project.
Mick reported no substantial rainfall of late is a bit of a challenge and has been watching soil moisture declining in the 30cm zone on his soil moisture probe. However subsoil moisture levels are okay and stable. Recent frosts have had an impact on top soil moisture, and having just recently sown down some crops they are looking for follow up rain.

Looking ahead if conditions continue, Mick says they may be looking at supplementary feeding stock and will hold on to seed grain for that purpose. He is being cautious and monitoring seasonal conditions.

Jason Trompf, Greta

We had an early break and the pasture was growing fast through April (80-100 kgDM/ha/day) with decent rain and mild weather.  I had three tonnes of green feed within 40 days. I finished lambs on pasture alone with growth rates of over 300 g/head/day and dressing at 50%.

This season is tailor made to use urea: there is good soil moisture, leaf area and it’s not really cold yet. I would have started two weeks ago, but I’m waiting for a decent rain. This will give me about 100 days of pasture growth prior to when growth really slows down in June.  We have already had four to five genuine frosts which is early for this time of year.

I’m setting up for lambing down on 10 June. We’ve scanned 200 percent lambing, and 400 ewes have triplets (see picture). It was an ideal summer and I had all but one quarter of the farm ready for the break. It is really obvious, the paddocks that weren’t grazed down have been slow to crank up and this is going to reduce winter carrying capacity and impact for the rest of the year.  Whereas the paddocks that were grazed down have a magnificent proportion of perennial ryegrass and clover (see picture below).

The soil moisture monitoring website shows data from Agriculture Victoria soil moisture probe sites as well as a number from other organisations such as the Gecko Clan and Perennial Pasture Systems group.

Both soil moisture and temperature are measured at each site with sensors to depth (recorded hourly and uploaded from the field with a telemetry unit and sim card connection).

The website also provides additional site information on the soil characteristics and plant species.

The new dashboard allows easier and quicker access with an improved search function.

This allows farmers to distinguish between crop types being monitored, pasture and soil types and location rainfall, all of which influence soil moisture data.

There is also a Victorian seasonal outlook for one – three months and extended into spring.

To access the new website.