SPRING'S near record rainfall and the lack of fine curing weather last month is adversely impacting the local hay and silage industry.

All crops of pasture hay cut before the middle of November have been hit with between three and five rain events and nearly all hay cut in North East Victoria since then has been exposed to more than 150mm plus of rain in November alone.

While the warmer, drier weather has arrived, it is a race against the clock for local farmers to attempt to get machinery on the ground and begin harvesting hay, silage and fodder in the hope that supply is high and prices are kept low.

For many the thought of abandonment is not an option, with farmers working long hours into the night to try and revive their season somewhat.

Bailey Hourigan, operations manager at Darrynvale Jersey Stud at Milawa, said the quality and quantity of hay is down this year because of recent floods.

"We haven't harvested as much hay this year due to access with machinery, along with the base of the grass leaf being covered in mud," Mr Hourigan said.

"The quality of hay and silage will affect sales and feed for our dairy farm which will further affect milk production.

"A lot of farmers have missed the window of harvest as the grass is too mature and has collapsed.

"We have managed to harvest some quality hay and silage, however, the figures are way down in comparison to an average season.

"Our farm, along with many others, is still experiencing wet spots and wet paddocks, which means only a percentage can be harvested while the remainder is left to cure and rot."

Mr Hourigan said hay growers have never seen a year like it as the area sown to hay crops has already fallen two years running thanks to La Nina.

He said fertiliser and lime super phosphate are spread from February until May with nitrogen dosed in the winter usually before rain.

However, the further harvesting runs behind the more difficult land can be prepared for the next season.

"Buyers also fear supplies of summer crops will be greatly restricted as well which will have an impact on the local dairy industry and cattle farms," Mr Hourigan said.

Dairy farmers will be looking for high quality hay to supplement their poor–quality pasture hay and silage.

"Farmers are many weeks behind and harvesting could blow out as far as December to January next year which will post further problems such as preparing soils for next autumn which again would put the schedule further behind," Mr Hourigan said.

"Harvesting is not an option for many as it could take weeks for things to dry out.

"The main issue right now is local contractors are struggling to find work as many properties cannot have machinery due to the risk of being bogged or damaged grass.

"We like to see around 30–40 per cent of moisture in bails but the numbers are much higher in some cases which further reduces the quality."