Seymour Working Sheep Dog Club has been forced to cancel its annual trials because of the poor condition of sheep.

Recent rain was welcomed throughout the Goulburn Valley, but it came a little too late for the club as its trials were due to be held later this month.

Club president Dick Waugh said this was a result of the drought.

"Due to the climatic conditions farmers are not really wanting to let sheep out," Mr Waugh said.

The club had already postponed the trials from March until May in the hope more rain would come.

When that did not happen, the committee decided to cancel the trials for the year.

"Given how tough it's been in the past 18 months to two years, we didn't want to keep asking people to put their sheep out," Mr Waugh said.

Nancy and Graham Halsall, retired farmers from Miepoll and sheep dog trial enthusiasts, were entered in the Seymour trials.

While this is the first competition they have been entered in which has been cancelled, Mrs Halsall said it was disappointing for everyone involved.

"I am sure no-one would be more disappointed than the Seymour Working Sheep Dog Club itself," Mrs Halsall said.

She also feared it could become a common occurrence throughout the year.

"I think there will be more trials cancelled because of the unavailability of strong sheep," Mrs Halsall said.

Seymour Working Sheep Dog Club hopes to hold trials in May next year.