Western Local Land Services

Average to Above average rainfall has improved conditions across much of the region. Drought conditions continue to impact the east of the region.

• The Combined Drought Indicator (CDI) shows approximately 15% of the region in one of the Drought Affected category at the end of March. Other locations have seen a transition to Recovery.
• Conditions remain variable across the Western LLS region. Average to above average rainfall during March has help maintain conditions, following on from the well above average rainfall earlier in the year.
• Further rainfall is critical to continue any recent improvement in conditions across the region.
• Western region producers are monitoring their local seasonal conditions and forecasts closely in line with their production systems.
• The NSW DPI continues to closely monitor conditions in this region.

Click on the scroll bar below the map to compare with previous months.

Normalised Difference Vegetation Index

There has been an improvement in plant greenness values over the last several months.

• Although there is widespread variability remains within the region, many areas have above normal plant greenness levels.
• This has been driven by average to above average rainfall across most of the region.
• The very high levels of plant greenness in the southwest are the result of rainfall received from ex-tropical cyclone Kirrily.
• 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.

Click on the scroll bar below the map to compare with previous months.

Individual Drought Indicators

Drought indicators remain variable but have responded to recent rainfall at some locations.

• The Drought History charts show the individual response of the drought indicators for Bourke, Broken Hill, Ivanhoe, and Wentworth.
• The indicators remain stable at Ivanhoe and Wentworth, in response to recent rainfall.
• Bourke remains in the Drought Affected category however the indicators have responded well to recent rainfall over the past few months. Follow up rainfall in the coming weeks will be needed to maintain the improvement in conditions.
• The Broken Hill parish continues to improve. Follow up rainfall will ensure that the region maintains the recent improvements and a longer-term recovery from drought.
• Producers continue to monitor conditions closely in conjunction with forecasts and outlooks.
• To access a Drought History chart for your Parish, visit the Seasonal Conditions Information Portal.