Livestock producers across wide areas of the state are looking for rain as winter looms on the horizon.
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Parts of the state are managing on a knife's edge while drought stricken areas of Gippsland still need large amounts of rain - now.
Terang cattle producer, Rod Mills, Wentworth Close, said it was business as usual for the cattle operation leading into the colder months.
In what is a "safe" rainfall area the farm received good falls in February totaling 69 millimetres followed by 46mm in March.
However April only yielded 21mm, Mr Mills said.
"You couldn't say we've had an autumn break but we do have green grass in our paddocks," Mr Mills said.
"But we're waiting for a really good soaking before the winter starts."
Mr Mills they were "travelling a lot better than many" and came into the year after a good spring.
"Last year's spring was one of the best we have had and we made lots of hay. Everyone did, they just went for it," he said.
"We should have enough hay because we cut a bit more after locking up a paddock late."
Mr Mills said they had used a lot of fertiliser to get some growth.
"The soil is still warm so there's a chance of growth still," he said.
At Winnandoo near Sale in Gippsland, mixed farmer Allister Morris could not remember his farm being as dry as now.
People were hanging onto stock because prices were high.
He said they had not received any significant rains and what did fall was dried out by strong winds.
Trying to build cattle numbers he has had a "good clean out" and retained the best young cattle.
Even so the breeding herd was cut by a third.
"It's economical at the moment to feed. I keep my finger on the pulse whether it's cost effective and f that changes I will sell stock," Mr Morris said.
As well as livestock he sows winter wheat, canola, spring wheat and barley.
"We won't alter the rotation. If we get a spring rain then we'll be okay but there is no moisture in the sub soil."
Mr Morris said crop nutrition and moisture retention were important in a dry year. He said "you've got to have it all in balance".
East of Benalla at Swanpool, manager at Lima Park, Andrew Maffescioni, said producers were still hoping for an autumn break.
The property carries a herd of 250 breeders as well as prime lambs.
Mr Maffescioni said they had been dry sowing pasture "as fast as we can".
"We had 14mm of rain Friday week ago and that's given a green tinge," he said.
"We'll stick to the normal program but we are feeding a lot more and we started feeding a lot earlier.
The feed was hay and silage made on the property "which means we don't have to buy in feed".
Mr Maffescioni said a good sign was that further up the valley the "springs have been flowing for a couple of weeks".
Locals reported that north east valleys including the Mitta, Kiewa, Tallangatta and Corryong, were "pretty good".
