Riverina Local Land Services

Conditions and outlooks are positive in the west of the region; conditions improve slightly in the east.

• The Combined Drought Indicator (CDI) shows approximately 32% of the region is in one of the drought categories at the end of October.
• Rainfall was average to below average across the region during October, continuing the longer-term rainfall deficits experienced this year.
• Rainfall, received through September and October has helped ease conditions, in some of the Drought Affected areas.
• Production outlooks remain strong in the west of the region.
• Warm temperatures and management of soil moisture will be a consideration entering summer.
• Producers continue to monitor forecasts closely and are implementing farm management strategies in line with conditions, with a focus on crop inputs, feed budgeting, fodder production and livestock health.
• The DPIRD continues to closely monitor conditions in this region

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Normalised Difference Vegetation Index

Plant greenness levels have improved but remain variable across the region for the August to October period.

Note that some of the extremely negative NDVI areas (brown patches) are water bodies.

The NDVI anomaly is a useful measure of vegetation density and plant health. It estimates the amount of green vegetation there is in the landscape compared to what is expected at the given time of year, against the baseline period 1987 - 2020.

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Individual Drought Indicators

Drought indicators continue to remain low in the east

• The drought indicator values continue to remain low in the east, including at Gundagai.
• The soil water and plant growth indicators remain stable at Temora, the rainfall indicator remains high.
• Timely and effective follow up rainfall will be crucial over the coming months entering summer, particularly in the east of the region.

To access a Drought History chart for your Parish, visit the Seasonal Conditions Information Portal.