Wimmera grain growers smile as crops 'pop' out of the ground

A canola seedling popping out
of the ground at 
Sam Eastwood's farm, south of Kaniva.

Wimmera grain producers are trying to hold back smiles, as the 2016 crop starts to poke out of the ground.

Green is an invigorating colour in the Victorian grain belt, where farmers have struggled through two years of drought.

Breaking rain at just the right time arrived with a cautious optimism that farmers cannot help but cling to.

The reality is, another failed crop would mark the end of grain production for many families.

Read the ABC Rural story - “Glorious rain drops cautious optimism on drought-affected farmers in Victorian grain belt.”