This is according to Murray Bridge farmer and Radnor sheep stud owner Steve Koehler.

“We want rain any time from now, the optimal sowing time is May and after that potential yields go down,” Mr Koehler said. Mr Koehler runs a 2200 hectare farm with his father and brothers, with 2200 sheep and about 800 hectares of crop each year.

Mr Koehler said running sheep on the property for additional income had helped them survive in recent years.

“Thank God I’ve got sheep,” he said.

“We’ve had two really good wool prices in a row and that’s helped us keep our heads above water.”

Rural Solutions SA consultant Craig Bell agreed with Mr Koehler, saying good opening rain was needed in the next few weeks.

He said Mallee farmers would traditionally look for rain on Anzac Day, however as long as rain fell before mid-May the season would be off to a good start.

“If we get a good opening rain of around 25 millimetres, a soaking rain like that would give farmers a chance,” Mr Bell said.

“Follow-up rains are the key seven to eight days later, the problem we’ve had in recent years is we haven’t had the follow-up rains.”

However, the season is not predicted to break yet, with Bureau of Meteorology forecasting fine and sunny conditions for the week, with cloudy patches on Thursday.