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Season 2025 - agricultural region

For seasonally relevant information and management options in the broadacre and south-west agricultural areas of Western Australia.

Farmers in crop with sheep

Latest updates and advice

  • Plan to ensure there is enough quality water available for livestock over autumn until break season and formulate contingency plans. See Livestock management and Water sections for information to assist decision-making, particularly for dry seasonal conditions.
  • Fire season continues and planning allows you to be prepared for an emergency. Visit Department of Fire and Emergency Services’- Prepare Warnings & Incidents, Recovery for resources on preparing for a fire, Animal welfare during bushfires for instructions during a bushfire or Farm recovery after fire if your property has been affected by fire.
  • The rainfall outlook for April to June 2025 indicates normal range of seasonal rainfall over southern WA. The pattern of above normal temperatures continues through autumn, with chances of unusually high daytime temperatures being elevated in most western parts of WA. See the Bureau’s seasonal outlook video for details and check monthly updates to the Seasonal Climate Outlook.
  • Funding and support services information and contacts are available to assist people in rural WA areas.

Funding and support services

Support services are available to assist rural people in stressful situations, these include: 

More information can be found on WA's rural support services directory.

View the rural support services directory
Flock of sheep
Department research sheep flock

Livestock

  • Consider autumn stock water requirements now. Plan to ensure there is enough quality water available into the break of next season and formulate contingency plans. Visit the Water for livestock page to learn more. 
  • Review feed budgets and use supplementary feeding over the autumn period. Factor in multiple plans, including worst-case scenarios such as starting supplementary feeding earlier than normal continuing if there is a later break. 
  • Confinement feeding is an option to reduce overall energy demand when paddock feed amount and quality has declined. Read our factsheet to find out more about considerations when setting up confinement feeding areas.  
  • Be aware of the symptoms of Annual Ryegrass Toxicity (ARGT). It’s important that purchased feed is tested for ARGT.

Animal welfare

Crops

  • Refer to the 2025 WA Crop Sowing Guide for information on variety choices for major crops and some management tips.
  • Control summer weeds early to conserve valuable soil nitrogen and moisture for the season's crops.
  • For information to identify and manage your crop pests and diseases throughout the season refer to PestFacts WA.

Soils

Managing existing groundcover will be important to prevent wind erosion. As a guide:

  • 5 tonne of stubble is the equivalent of 50% ground cover. This could include last year’s growing season stubble if retained. 
  • Stubble remaining after harvest will be approximately 1.5 to 2 times that of grain yield. 
  • Paddocks with ground cover less than 50% should have no or little traffic from livestock or vehicles.
  • Keeping ground cover above 50% keeps your options open for the coming summer and autumn.

Landholders should assess and manage wind erosion risk at each stage of the cropping year:

Water

Farm water supplies may become low over summer. It is important to:

If you think you're likely to become water deficient within the next 4 weeks, discuss your situation with your Local Government Authority, or contact DWER's rural water planning team on 1800 780 300, ruralwater@dwer.wa.gov.au or visit Rural water planning.

Where on-farm and strategic community water resources are not available, stock water can be obtained from regional Shire fixed standpipes. Refer to Water Corporation information and standpipe maps for the Great Southern and South West.

paddock with sheep and grey clouds in background

Climate outlook

Rainfall outlook for April 2025 from the Bureau of Meteorology, updated 13 March, shows rainfall over the agricultural areas - is likely to be within the normal range for the month. For the north of the state, however, the outlook shows a shift to above normal rain being more likely. The seasonal rainfall outlook for April to June 2025 indicates a normal range of seasonal rainfall over southern WA.

Many international climate models have a neutral rainfall outlook for southern WA for this period, from their March runs. 

The pattern of above normal temperatures continues through autumn, with chances of unusually high daytime temperatures being elevated in western parts of WA.

Check monthly updates in the Seasonal Climate Outlook

Climate resources

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