Poor Start To Harvest In Victoria, Australia

THE grain harvest has begun across much of Victoria, marked by poor quality levels in many early crops.

Graincorp corporate affairs manager David Ginns said the first wheat was harvested near Mildura last week, and the barley harvest was well under way across most of the Mallee.

"Some has made malting quality, but a lot will only be feed," he said.

Mr Ginns said rain delayed the harvest in central Victoria by five days and caused damage to some hay that had been drying on the ground.

Strong wind, hail and rain also damaged barley crops south of Horsham.

Mr Ginns said the canola harvest had begun in the north of Victoria and southern NSW, with farmers windrowing crops.

"Oil levels have been disappointing," he said.

"The quality has been variable with levels ranging from 28 to 35 per cent."