Season 2026

This map shows total rainfall across the South West Land Division so far in 2026.
Rainfall has varied widely, from high totals in the south-west to much lower levels in inland grain-growing areas.

This map shows how 2026 rainfall compares to past seasons using historical records (1975-2025).
It highlights areas experiencing above average, average, or below average seasonal conditions.

This map provides an estimate of soil water available to crops based on rainfall and evaporation.
It gives an indication of how seasonal conditions may be influencing crop growth across different regions.

• Lamb marking should be carried out between 2 and 12 weeks of age. A 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 vaccination should be used with a follow up dose at weaning. Pain relief options such as anti-inflammatories and local anaesthetics are also available for lamb marking and mulesing.
• Weaning should be undertaken 12 weeks from the start of lambing (or sooner in a poor season) to help with ewe re-gaining condition before the next joining. Weaners should be 40% of adult liveweight at weaning. If many are lighter, consider managing the tail of the mob separately. Ensure follow-up vaccinations are given at weaning.
• With ram sales season starting, be sure to use Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) paired with visual assessment for conformation to purchase rams that match your breeding objective.
• Review parasite control programs, monitor worm burdens through faecal egg counts and drench if necessary. Weaners should be drenched at weaning or early summer.  
• Warmer daytime temperatures and low wind have meant flystrike is occurring in some areas. Be alert for signs, have treatment options on hand and chemical rotation plans to manage resistance, considering cross-over with worm and lice chemicals.
• In wetter areas, foot abscesses may become an issue. Keep an eye out for signs such as lameness. Foot abscesses normally only affect one foot, however the signs can also look like footrot, which is a reportable disease, so contact your local DPIRD field vet to investigate.
• It’s important to get ewes back up to condition score 3 after weaning, and prior to joining. This ensures greater reproductive potential next season. Assess ewes using MLA’s Fit to Join assessment, which involves assessing the udder, condition score, feet and mouth to make decision about a ewe’s fitness to join.

• Review sire performance. Use joining and pregnancy test results to assess which sires delivered the best outcomes. Begin planning for spring bull purchases or semen orders to secure preferred genetics.
• Energy supplementation may be required until Feed On Offer (FOO) reaches levels that support maintenance and lactation. Prioritise young cows and first‑calvers to prevent condition loss.
• Support cows with calves at foot during peak lactation. Assess cow condition regularly and ensure adequate energy intake. If feed is limited, early weaning or creep feeding may help maintain cow fertility heading into spring.
• Plan for dry‑season resilience in pastoral regions where rainfall may still be variable. Use seasonal outlooks, feed budgeting tools and decision guides to evaluate options such as destocking, agistment or holding core breeders.
• Implement winter parasite control with a focus on internal parasites, which increase with cooler, wetter conditions. Conduct worm egg counts, review drench strategies for young stock, and monitor for lice or ticks depending on region. Maintain strong biosecurity practices to reduce disease risk.