Pastoral Feed Outlook

Dionne Walsh, Chris Materne and Dale Jenner

The DPIR publishes this Pastoral Feed Outlook every quarter, click to subscribe.

This Outlook includes information on:

  • the current estimated feed supply
  • recent and anticipated pasture growth and how  these compare to long-term records
  • the seasonal outlook for the coming months
  • emerging drought conditions
  • the risk of wildfire

It will come as little surprise that pasture growth in many  parts of central Australia has been very poor. But the images below help to  visualise the extent of the issue and highlight that pasture growth experienced  by many this summer is some of the lowest on record since 1957 (areas in red).  Whilst the Southern Alice Springs district has experienced average pasture  growth this season, this has followed two average to above-average years, so it  might seem like a dry year. Unfortunately the outlook for the coming three  months is not very positive with hotter than average days and nights expected  to persist. The Bureau’s rainfall outlook suggests that the chances of  receiving the median rainfall for the coming three months is average to  below-average.

Map colours indicate how the past three months compare to the  same period in all years since 1957.

Southern Alice Springs District

Pasture Growth (December 2018 to March 2019)

Southern Alice Springs District Pasture Growth (December 2018 to March 2019)

Plenty District

Pasture Growth (December 2018 to March 2019)

Plenty District Pasture Growth (December 2018 to March 2019)

Northern Alice Springs District

Pasture Growth (December 2018 to March 2019)

 Northern Alice Springs District Pasture Growth (December 2018 to March 2019)

Tennant Creek District

Pasture Growth (December 2018 to March 2019)

Tennant Creek District Pasture Growth (December 2018 to March 2019)

If you have any questions about the Pastoral Feed Outlook, please contact Chris Materne.


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