Tap into valuable soil moisture data this season

7 May 2026

Farmers statewide are encouraged to subscribe to Agriculture Victoria's Soil Moisture Monitoring Cropping Report e-newsletter for real-time soil water data in their region.

The report summarises data from underground probes at 20 monitoring sites across Victorian cropping regions as part of Agriculture Victoria’s Soil Moisture Monitoring (SMM) project.

Agriculture Victoria seasonal risk agronomist Dale Boyd said the newsletter aims to be both informative and educational about seasonal rain events and how far they have soaked down into the soil profile.

‘The newsletter describes what is happening at each reference point and provides resources to help you learn more about understanding the deep soil moisture probe graphs,’ Mr Boyd said.

‘If you invest some time in learning how to interpret moisture probe graphs, you can really reap some benefits.

‘For example, after the large volume of rain in March, you could ask “what was the deepest sensor to react to the rain?”’

Where feasible, Mr Boyd validates the sensor findings in the paddock with coring tubes and says it’s promising to see moisture still evident in the profile.

The sites record soil water content at one source point from 30 cm down to 1 m as a reference point for a paddock.

Some key findings noted in the current report include:

• Summer weed control remains critical to conserving soil moisture.
• Cropping regions north of the divide are showing improvement due to March rainfall increasing stored soil water.
• Several grain-growing areas still have deep soil moisture deficits following a dry summer.
• Regions with decile 9 March rainfall are showing strong recovery and soil profiles that are at least half full receiving more than 100 mm of rain during March.
• Districts that received rainfall greater than 150 mm (decile 10 or highest on record) are more than 75% full and many have deep moisture that is 100%.
• Overall, soil water app data is showing mixed trends with notable increases at Ouyen (88%) and Coonooer Bridge (88%) while other areas remain low in the south-west around Hamilton (12%) and Lake Bolac (29%).

Read the latest edition of the Soil Moisture Monitor e-newsletter on the Agriculture Victoria website.

For drought support, including grants, technical advice and mental health services, visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.

Media contact: Anna Ferguson

Phone: 0499 540 475