Western Local Land Services

Conditions generally remain steady for much of the region, but some areas have dried over the last 6 weeks.

• The Combined Drought Indicator (CDI) shows almost all the region is in the Recovery or Non-Drought category at the end of June.
• Parts of the south and west has transitioned back into the Drought Affected category during June due to short-term rainfall deficits.
• June rainfall has been variable and generally has been below average in the southeast and above average in the northwest of the region.
• Producers are focusing on pasture improvement and restocking options following good rainfall totals at some locations.
• Colder temperatures at other locations have impacted pasture, fodder crop, and crop growth in recent weeks. Follow up rainfall in these areas would be beneficial.

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Normalised Difference Vegetation Index

Plant greenness levels are variable across the region.

• The NDVI anomaly remains generally stable since the last Update, with drying evident in the southeast. Values remain generally above average for the LLS region.
• 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 variable but have continued to respond to recent rainfall.

• Recent rainfall over the past few months has seen a sustained recovery across the region, particularly at Bourke.
• Indicators in the Broken Hill and Wentworth regions have continued to decline but remain above the Non-Drought category threshold at the end of June.
• Further rainfall is crucial to ensure these regions do not transition into the Drought Affected category.

To access a Drought History chart for your Parish, visit the Seasonal Conditions Information Portal.