Fourth-Generation Farmer Alarmed as Ouyen May Have Hit Victoria's Highest Recorded Temperature — "We Are Very Worried"

While much of the Northern Hemisphere endured winter cold, the rural Victorian town of Ouyen in southeastern Australia faced an intense heatwave that may have produced Victoria's highest-ever temperature, according to reporting by The Guardian.

Record-Setting Heat in a Farming Region

Ouyen, a long-standing farming community in a larger agricultural district, has struggled with increasingly dry conditions in recent years, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has noted. Authorities issued multiple heatwave alerts earlier in the month, forecasting widespread temperatures in the mid-40s Celsius (around 113–117°F).

On Jan. 27, thermometers in Ouyen recorded readings approaching 49°C (120.2°F). Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) indicated that measurements taken at Ouyen's Post Office could have been even higher, potentially surpassing Victoria's previous record.

Sustained, Dangerous Heat — And No Rain

The heat was not a single-day spike: temperatures had remained above 40°C (104°F) for the five days leading up to the peak, with forecasters warning of several more very hot days. Local farmers' concerns were intensified by a prolonged lack of rainfall — much of the district had gone weeks without meaningful precipitation when the heatwave struck.

Farmers Face Yield Uncertainty

Deane Munro, a fourth-generation farmer who grows wheat, barley and other crops on a 25,000-acre family property, told The Guardian he is worried about yields after an unusually dry spell.

"We're at 12-inch rainfall. We don't have to miss out on any more than one or two rains and we can't grow a crop, so we are very worried about that. We're never going to be on the wetter side here, it's always going to the dry side," Munro said.

Munro added that he does not claim to be a climate expert, but he is "absolutely" fearful about the impacts rising temperatures are having on his farm and the wider region.

Wider Context: Rising Temperatures and Agricultural Risk

Reporting indicates that Australia's average temperatures rose by about 1.23°C (2.2°F) in 2025, making that year the nation's fourth-warmest on record. The World Meteorological Organization describes extreme heat as a form of extreme weather defined by its intensity, rarity and impacts. Scientists say human activities — such as burning fossil fuels and extensive land clearing — have raised global temperatures, increasing evaporation and amplifying the intensity of weather extremes.

Extreme weather is also taking a heavy toll on agriculture worldwide. In 2025, some U.S. crop yields dropped by as much as 50% in parts of the country, and broader losses contributed to multi-billion-dollar impacts across North American agriculture. Erratic seasons and unpredictable yields are jeopardizing local food supplies and contributing to rising grocery prices globally.

Emergency Response

In Victoria, emergency services prepared for difficult conditions: firefighters readied for an increased workload, while Ambulance Victoria advised residents to limit time outdoors, avoid strenuous activity during peak heat, and moderate alcohol consumption.

As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, staying informed about local risks and preparedness measures is increasingly important for communities, emergency planners and those whose livelihoods depend on the land.

Sources: The Guardian, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Bureau of Meteorology, World Meteorological Organization.