Local farmer Tony Van Lubeck continued stripping 550 hectares of mainly Lang variety on his Castlemaine property on the weekend and said the grain was mainly ASW1 varying to APW2.

Dryland wheat is part of his mixed enterprise that includes sheep and cattle so the recent rain was welcomed for pasture growth, but overall dry conditions meant the wheat crop wasn’t affected.

“There was very little in crop rain but the crop was sown on very good moisture,” said Mr Van Lubeck. “The season has followed the last couple of years where we didn’t get the spring rain and got by on in crop moisture.

“We sprayed twice for weeds but anticipated locust and mice problems didn’t eventuate.”

Mr Van Lubeck said the crop was averaging 11 bags per acre and he would take the option of many other farmers of warehousing the grain and “watching the prices”.

Meanwhile Department of Primary Industries agronomist Leigh Jenkins said with practically no rainfall for three months it was “a bit of a miracle” that the district was able to harvest any wheat crops at all.

“Every property is having mixed results depending on rainfall and paddock history, with a big range of quality from eight to 14 per cent,” she said.

“North of Warren in the Coonamble/ Quambone Road area has fared better.”

The harvest is about 70 per cent complete with Warren and Nevertire silos both operating and some grain going to Gilgandra and Trangie.