The falls effectively ended a roller coaster ride which started this year with good summer rain, followed by a dry March, a wet April and a dry May.

June was also heading for another dip in falls before an upward lift when the heavens opened up, firstly in the northern Wheatbelt as farmers tucked into their lunches last Thursday.

The rain pushed through most of the central, eastern, Great Southern and south coastal parts of the Wheatbelt on Thursday night and Friday, before a few scattered showers over the weekend.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, falls ranged mainly in the mid-teens to tops of 40mm at Northampton, 38mm at Newdeate, 35mm at Morawa, 28mm at Narembeen and 12mm at Condingup.

Mullewa farmer Ian Broad said 38mm of "marvellous" rain fell on his property mainly on Thursday and Friday.

"We're a good six weeks in front of where we were last year and we've also got sub-soil moisture," he said.

"It's the best start to a season I can remember and we're now looking forward to hopefully more moisture in July and August to kick the crops along."

East Pindar father and son farmers Sam and Zac Grima recorded 16mm on their home property with a leased property at Tardun receiving 30mm.

"This is great rain for our crops and stock," Zac said.

"It hasn't been flash for a few years and we've had to sell some stock for cash flow but crops are looking good and heading into boot so if we get a wet July we'll be very happy."

But nost farmers facing a difficult year east of Esperance had little joy from the system that lapped coastal areas.

According to Beaumont farmer Bill Tiller, the only event he recorded was wind.

"It blew a gale and probably stripped 800ha of our 8000ha programme," he said.

* Extract from a full report in Farm Weekly, WA, July 3 issue.