Weekly Australian Climate, Water and Agricultural Update, 12 June 2025

Key issues

• In the week ending 11 June 2025 cold fronts and low-pressure systems brought rainfall to much of southern Australia.
  • Cropping regions in Victoria, South Australia and parts of southern New South Wales received 5-50 millimetres of rainfall. Western Australian cropping regions recorded between 1-10 millimetres of rainfall. Meanwhile, little or no rainfall was recorded in eastern and northern regions.
  • Across most cropping regions in South Australia, Victoria and southern New South Wales these falls have likely provided sufficient moisture to support the germination of dry sown winter crops and may see some improvement in soil moisture levels.
  • However, across parts of the Eyre Peninsula and the Mallee regions in South Australia and Victoria recorded totals were lower than previously forecast. This means that crops in these areas have received sufficient rainfall to trigger germination of dry sown crops but will require follow-up rainfall in the coming weeks to ensure successful crop establishment.
• Over the coming eight days, rainfall is expected across parts of southern Australia.
  • 10-50 millimetres of rainfall is expected in Western Australian cropping regions, while other southern cropping regions are expected to receive lower rainfall totals of 5-25 millimetres. Eastern cropping regions are likely to have little to no rainfall.
• The national rainfall outlook for July to September 2025 indicates an increased probability of above median rainfall across much of inland Australia. However, some southern regions are likely to see below median rainfall.
  • If realised, the expectation of close to average July to September 2025 rainfall across most winter cropping regions is likely be sufficient to support the establishment and growth of winter crops.
• Water storage levels in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) increased by 49 gigalitres (GL) between 5 June 2025 and 12 June 2025. The current volume of water held in storages is 12,661 GL, equivalent to 57% of total storage capacity. This is 26% or 4,477 GL less than at the same time last year. Water storage data is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology.
• Allocation prices in the Victorian Murray below the Barmah Choke decreased from $290/ML on 5 June to $250/ML on 12 June. Trade from the Goulburn to the Murray is closed. Trade downstream through the Barmah Choke is closed. Trade from the Murrumbidgee to the Murray is open.