Health, education, manufacturing, construction and retail are some of the biggest providers of jobs and play a critical part in our economic well-being.

But often a buoyant agricultural sector can be the icing on the cake for a major regional centre like Albury-Wodonga where a lot of money is spent by people on the land producing cattle, sheep, growing crops or a combination of all three.

Granted, farming is a high risk, high reward, environment.

But the economy ticks over a lot better when prices for livestock, wool and crops are on an upward trajectory.

Without wanting to jinx those on the land, they couldn't have wished for a better start to a season, particularly with most if not all crops in the ground.

Albury has recorded more than 200mm of rain in the last three months with the monthly falls for March and April above average.

The May total was slightly down, but across our major centres no one has missed out on all important rain at this important time.

Some areas across aren't so fortunate with ongoing drought in Queensland being a soul-destroying experience and a timely reality check for our farmers.

But in our part of the world the major cattle and sheep selling centres of North Barnawartha, Wangaratta and Corowa are seeing a continuation of excellent prices for farmers and the industry body, Meat & Livestock Australia, recently predicting the status quo to remain in the short-term at least.

Higher farm incomes create confidence which the broader economy also benefits from with investment in new machinery, upgraded farm infrastructure and reduced debt.

Another beneficiary of the improved farming landscape is the prospect of more young people seeing a viable future in agriculture which will further future-proof the industry.

Fires, floods and droughts will continue to lurk just around the corner with our region experiencing a major flood last spring.

Farmers are cautious by nature, but it's a case of so far so good this season.