Latest updates and advice
- The seasonal climate outlook for May to July 2026 shows support for climate drivers indicating neutral rainfall for most of the southern rangelands, with the south-west agricultural region neutral to drier.
- Check out the new Grains Convo podcast which includes episodes that deliver practical, no fuss conversations from DPIRD experts – connecting research with real world application.
- Reports of high mouse activity in WA’s agricultural regions mean growers should closely monitor paddocks and consider using registered bait where activity is high.
- 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 rainfall.
Climate outlook
- Rainfall has been below average throughout April for the majority of the state with patchy falls near Carnarvon, parts of the Pilbara and Esperance, with larger falls in parts of the Goldfields. Check out the recent rainfall maps.
- The seasonal climate outlook for May to July 2026 shows support for climate drivers indicating neutral rainfall for most of the southern rangelands, with the south-west agricultural region neutral to drier. Daytime temperatures are expected to be above normal across the state.
- Check out the May edition of the Seasonal Climate Outlook newsletter for the South West Land Division (SWLD).
- Use the Rainfall to date tool to visualise cumulative rainfall from the start of the grain growing season and inform decision making.
Climate resources
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 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.
- Defer grazing annual pastures to allow emerging seedlings to develop.
- Dry sowing cereals for early green feed is a valuable option to reduce supplementary feeding.
- 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 sufficient rainfall has induced 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.
- The Esperance region has again had reported cases of kikuyu toxicity. 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 and our StockedUp newsletter May 2025 edition which includes articles on the signs of kikuyu toxicity, and kikuyu management.
- 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.
- An increasing number of producers are adopting confinement feeding for livestock in the autumn/winter feed gap. This is a useful way to manage nutrition, ground cover and delay grazing pastures. Careful nutrition and animal health management is required. 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 continue feeding until FOO has reached 800kg DM/ha. A green pick is not enough to sustain stock. Ensure adequate roughage is available to stock during supplementation.
- Start thinking about allocating and preparing lambing paddocks based on previous paddock history, access to feed, water and shelter.
- Give annual pre-lambing vaccination to ewes, and conduct worm egg counts to determine whether pre-lambing vaccination is required.
- 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 Growing weaner sheep factsheet.
- Widespread rainfall and warmer conditions 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
- With nitrogen (N) in tight supply (1) establish your paddock nitrogen supply; (2) understand your breakeven yield/cost combination; and (3) spread your fertiliser according to responsiveness in the remaining paddocks. Listen to the Grains Convo podcast for discussions around this for wheat and canola.
- Get more from your pulse crops this season to maximise N supply for 2027 crops. Tune in to Grains Convo episodes on pulses and lupin specific discussions.
- It’s a great year to do N rate trial strips on your farm to assist you to make better decisions in following years. Read more on Making N applications pay this season (GRDC). You need to have at least 4 rates (including no N) for a useful response curve to fertilisers.
- 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.
- Ensuring the basics of canola agronomy are followed can minimise the financial risk of growing canola, which can be higher than other crops due to high input costs, particularly seed and fertiliser.
- Use the Canola seeding rate calculator to easily calculate the seeding rate needed for good crop establishment, as this will set the crop up for its potential yield.
For information to identify and manage crop pests and diseases throughout the season refer to PestFacts WA cropping resources.
- There are reports of high mouse activity in WA's agricultural regions. Check out these resources: Mouse Alert (Feralscan); Mouse management (GRDC) and Mouse control (CSIRO) for monitoring strategies and management options to reduce risks to emerging crops.
- Baits may be a consideration at seeding where high mouse activity has been identified. ZnP25 is the only currently registered bait available. Use in accordance with the label instructions and report any adverse effects (including a lack of efficacy) via the APVMA website.
Soils
- Use the EasyDiesel calculator to understand the likely financial impact of deep ripping on your fuel spend and use the EasyClay calculator to determine clay rates based on the clay source available, target clay percentage change, and soil mixing depth.
- Fertiliser decisions are being adjusted to accommodate availability. The economically optimum rate for fertiliser depends on the yield response to applying the fertiliser, and the prices of fertiliser and grain. Flat economic curves are common, where a wide range of fertiliser inputs provide a similar profitability when analysed annually. To learn more, read Economics of fertilisers.
- Check out information on Fertiliser decisions ahead of seeding and the Fertiliser management toolbox.
- To guide decisions on phosphorus fertiliser, consider your phosphorus balance, soil testing and tissue testing data. Rainfall before seeding, soil pH, and phosphorus buffering index (PBI) are important factors determining yield response to P fertiliser applications. Read more in this GRDC Phosphorus management in WA factsheet.
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.
Season 2026 – information for pastoralists
Latest updates and advice
- Primary producers impacted by Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle may be eligible for disaster relief assistance. Visit Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for more information.
- Be aware of the symptoms of Annual Ryegrass Toxicity (ARGT). It is important that purchased cereal and meadow hay is tested for ARGT.
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.
- Read more on body condition score, heifer management and breeder management in the Breeder and heifer management for rangeland cattle factsheet.
Grazing to reduce soil erosion
- Grazing of sheep in the pastoral areas of Western Australia: best management practice guidelines
- Grazing of cattle in the northern pastoral areas of Western Australia: best management practice guidelines
- Procedures for rangeland condition assessment in the Pilbara and southern rangelands 2025.
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?
Feeding requirements
- Feeding Livestock (Agriculture Victoria)
- Drought feeding and management of beef cattle (Agriculture Victoria)
- Full handfeeding of beef cattle (NSW DPI)
- Checklist for good beef cattle health and management in drought (NSW DPI)
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
- Body condition score for beef cattle - FutureBeef
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