Latest updates and advice
- Fire season is upon us, be prepared for an emergency. Visit DPIRD’s animal welfare in emergency information and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services'- Prepare Warnings & Incidents, Recovery for resources on preparing for a fire.
- Fluctuations in annual rainfall across the Pilbara and Gascoyne over the past 5 years have caused a drying trend within soil profiles with some now at the lowest levels.
- The Bureau of Meteorology’s (BoM) seasonal outlook for April to June 2026 indicates a strong likelihood for below normal rainfall for most of WA. See the BoM’s seasonal outlook video for more details.
- Continue to monitor stock water requirements to ensure there is enough quality water available. Salt levels in dams increase as water levels decrease, so continue monitoring throughout summer/autumn. Visit the Water for livestock page to learn more.
- Use the 2026 WA Crop Sowing Guide for variety information. See Crops for further seasonal information.
Season 2026 - information for pastoralists
Stay across the latest updates and advice for managing the dry season in the rangelands.
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Climate outlook
- The Bureau of Meteorology’s seasonal outlook for April to June 2026 indicates a strong likelihood for below normal rainfall for most of WA. See the BoM’s seasonal outlook video for more details.
- International climate models have a neutral to drier rainfall outlook for this period, from their February runs.
- The pattern of above normal temperatures continued over summer into Autumn, with elevated chances of extreme temperatures.
Climate resources
- DPIRD weather stations map
- Rainfall to date tool
- BoM weekly rainfall for the south-west forecast districts
- BoM weekly rainfall for the northern & eastern forecast districts
- Bureau of Meteorology: Water and land
- Climate data online (BoM daily rainfall and other local climate records)
- Australian CliMate app
- Animated global weather conditions affecting WA
Department research sheep flock
Livestock
- Continue to monitor stock water requirements to ensure there is enough quality water available. Salt levels in dams increase as water levels decrease, so continue monitoring throughout summer/autumn. Visit the Water for livestock page to learn more.
- Be aware of the symptoms of Annual Ryegrass Toxicity (ARGT). It is important that purchased cereal and meadow hay is tested for ARGT.
- If you still have stock grazing lupin stubbles, be alert for signs of lupinosis after any summer rainfall.
- Contact your local DPIRD field vet to report unusual disease signs, abnormal behaviour or unexpected deaths in your livestock.
- See the latest StockedUp newsletter for a range of seasonal production advice and management tips.
- For annual pastures, manage dry pasture residues and keep adequate ground cover (500-800 kg DM/ha) to minimise soil erosion.
- Consider options for various breaks to the season. Early breaks are an opportunity to defer grazing and allow better pasture establishment. For later breaks, look at options for confinement feeding, sacrificial paddocks or dry sowing cereals for early green feed.
- All perennial pastures should currently be de-stocked to avoid the loss of perennial plants the one exception being kikuyu pastures other than paddocks in which sheep have started to dig up kikuyu rhizomes. For advice on specific species refer to the Perennial Pastures for Western Australia Bulletin
- If we get sufficient rainfall to induce perennial regrowth, wait until green Feed on Offer (FOO) reaches approximately 600 kg DM/ha before grazing and destock immediately once the green feed has been consumed.
- While rare, if you get rapid and lush kikuyu growth following rain, livestock kikuyu poisoning is possible. For further information, including what to look for, refer to this Dairy Australia factsheet.
- Phalaris pastures also pose a toxicity risk following rain. For more information refer to chapter 2, page 116 of the Perennial Pastures for Western Australia Bulletin.
- It’s important weaners keep growing. Know your target growth rate dependent on when you want to turn off or mate (for those joining ewe lambs). Make sure they are receiving adequate protein, energy and roughage. Find out more about weaner management in our factsheet, Growing weaner sheep.
- An increasing number of producers are adopting confinement feeding for livestock in the autumn/winter feed gap. This is a great way to manage nutrition, ground cover and delay grazing pastures. More information on setting up confinement feeding can be found in our Confined paddock feeding and feedlotting of sheep factsheet.
- Pregnancy scanning ewes is an important part of feed budgeting as nutrition requirements vary depending on stage of pregnancy and number of lambs being carried. Allocate feed according to stock requirements. A twin bearing ewe needs much more feed than a dry or single bearing ewe.
- Revisit your feed budgets regularly and adjust accordingly to ensure stock are meeting condition score and weight targets. Start supplementary feeding before stock condition declines and ensure adequate roughage is available to stock.
- Give annual pre-lambing vaccination to ewes, and conduct worm egg counts to determine whether pre-lambing vaccination is required.
- Start thinking about allocating and preparing lambing paddocks based on previous paddock history, access to feed, water and shelter.
- Higher temperatures and rainfall in some areas, coupled with low wind has seen some flystrike occurring. Monitor the flock and treat if necessary.
View the dry season management information and resources for further assistance.
- Bull sale season is in full swing. Refer to the latest edition of StockedUp for advice on selection. Commercial beef producers can look into buying high-performing sires to improve productivity in their herd using visual, structural and genetic assessment tools.
- Supplementary feeding is important to maintain adequate condition score of beef cattle (both rangelands and southern cattle) held on farm.
- Monitor Feed On Offer (FOO). If inadequate FOO, confined feeding may be an option. Assess stocking rate capabilities to best utlitise pasture availability.
- Cows with calves at foot are at peak feed demand during lactation. Young cows in particular require more feed as they have not reached mature weight. Assess feed requirements to determine whether pastures are adequate.
- Pastoralists can refer to resources to support them in a dry year, including decisions to hold or sell breeding cattle.
- Construct an annual program for cattle parasites to prevent outbreaks and for cost effective control. Talk to your local vet and learn more about our cattle tick control program and implementing beef cattle biosecurity tools.
Crops
- 2025 was a record harvest (27mt) but not a record profit year due to high input prices and lower commodity prices. Refer to GIWA crop reports.
- Use the 2026 WA Crop Sowing Guide for variety information on major crops grown in WA. The pulse section also features an agronomy and herbicide guide summary to support management decisions.
- Top tips to maximise groundcover following strategic deep tillage include the timing of deep tillage, variety choice and seeding rate.
- Strategic tillage can benefit weed management and crop production however seed burial depth varies widely between soil types, soil conditions and implement setup. Check the depth of working to estimate weed seed burial.
For information to identify and manage crop pests and diseases throughout the season refer to PestFacts WA cropping resources.
Soils
If considering soil amelioration this year, read the GRDC article on how to minimise wind erosion after soil amelioration.
Landholders are encouraged to assess and manage wind erosion risk at each stage of the cropping year:
Water
In areas where farm water supplies are inadequate, it is important to:
- Assess available water supplies and quality and bulk up water into as few remaining larger and deeper dams as possible.
- Calculate a water budget for livestock – before problems develop.
- Test all dams and bores being used for livestock and spraying as water quality (salinity) may not be suitable as levels drop.
- Groundwater desalination on farms: Please remember that you must submit a notice of intent to drain or pump water – desalination (NOI), together with the neighbour comments, to the Commissioner of Soil and Land Conservation at least 90 days before intended discharge.
- Undertake maintenance of dams and roaded catchments ahead of the first rains.
Season 2026 – information for pastoralists
Latest updates and advice
- Summer rain to January in the Kimberley was very much above average or highest on record for most of the region however the Gascoyne and Pilbara missed out on the rains from the recent cyclone.
- Fluctuations in annual rainfall across Gascoyne and Pilbara over the past 5 years have caused a drying trend within soil profiles with some now at the lowest levels.
- It will be important to watch if restrictions to water allocations are required for the current winter growing season in the Carnarvon basin.
- DPIRD has been monitoring the conditions as the season progresses to stay abreast of the situation.
Holding or selling breeding cattle
- In a dry season where feed, water and finances are limited, removing less productive animals as soon as possible is a good option. This will free up feed for more productive animals and help preserve ground cover. View the Holding or selling breeding cattle in the rangelands factsheet for more information.
Welfare considerations
- Stock owners and managers have an obligation to ensure animal welfare including sufficient food, water and shelter is provided. Read more on Drought Feeding and Management of Cattle guide.
- Where sufficient food and/or water requirements cannot be met, management decisions should be made early. Cattle should be moved to where feed and water is sufficient, or they should be sold or humanely destroyed. Read more on What are my animal welfare responsibilities?
Livestock water requirements
- Water is a critical component in livestock productivity and welfare. To help you manage and budget your stock water accordingly, visit the Water for livestock webpage.
Transport
- Are sheep and cattle fit to be sold at a saleyard?
- Are sheep and cattle fit to load?
- Assessing beef cattle body condition for transport or sale at a saleyard
- Assessing sheep body condition for transport or sale at a saleyard
Support
- Find out more about available funding and support services.
Funding and support services
Support services are available to assist rural people in stressful situations, these include:
- Regional Men’s Health Initiative
- Rural Aid
- Lifeline
- Beyond Blue
- Rural West financial counselling service.
More information can be found on WA's rural support services directory.
View the rural support services directoryContact us
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Christine Zaicou-KuneschFarming Systems ManagerGascoyne & Mid West