North Coast Local Land Services

Drought conditions remain for much of the region. Follow up rainfall is needed for aiding long-term recovery.

• The Combined Drought Indicator (CDI) shows that approximately 85% of the region remains in one of the drought categories at the end of March. This is predominantly the ‘Drought Affected’ category, indicating a reduced intensity in the dry conditions that have been experienced across the region.
• Average to below average rainfall across the region during March has slowed drought recovery for many parts of the region and seen drought conditions re-intensify at some locations.
• Pastures have responded well to rain events with good feed available, but soil moisture levels remain low, particularly in the east of the region.
• On ground reports suggest that pasture management and storing fodder reserves is a focus for many producers.
• Producers continue to monitor conditions closely in conjunction with forecasts and outlooks.
• Continued follow up rainfall will be critical across the region for a sustained recovery from this long-term drought event.
• The NSW DPI continues to closely monitor conditions in these regions.

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Normalised Difference Vegetation Index

Plant greenness values have remained generally steady since the February Update.

• There is widespread variability in the plant greenness values across the region.
• Many areas continue to experience near normal to higher-than-normal plant greenness levels.
• Areas with below average levels of greenness indicate low levels of ground cover and standing dry matter available for livestock.
• Some of the extremely negative NDVI areas (brown patches) are water bodies.

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Individual Drought Indicators

Drought indicators remain low across the region.  

• The Drought History chart show the individual response of the drought indicators for Grafton, Kempsey and Lismore.
• At Grafton, the indicators have slowly responded to recent rainfall, and this location remains in the Drought Affected category.
• At Kempsey, conditions remain challenging with very low values for each of the three drought indicators. The region transitioned back into the Drought category at the end of March.
• At Lismore, the drought indicators have responded well to recent rainfall, however further rainfall is needed to see the region transition into the Recovery category.
• Recovery from drought conditions will take some time across the region and substantial rainfall is needed to trigger improvement in current conditions at all locations.
• To access a Drought History chart for your Parish, visit the Seasonal Conditions Information Portal.