Weekly Australian Climate, Water and Agricultural Update, 4 June 2026

Key issues

• In the week ending 3 June 2026, low-pressure systems brought rainfall to parts of eastern, south-eastern and south-western Australia.
  • Most cropping regions saw falls of 1-50 millimetres, with isolated falls up to 100 millimetres recorded across parts of southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.
  • These falls have provided a timely boost to soil moisture levels across most cropping regions and is likely to benefit the establishment of winter crops. Substantial rainfall across parts of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland has delivered a timely follow-up to rainfall received last week and may encourage some additional planting of winter crops.
• Over the 8 days to 11 June 2026, cold fronts and low-pressure systems are expected to bring rainfall to parts of eastern, western and southern Australia.
  • Across cropping regions, 5-50 millimetres are forecast for much of Western Australia and New South Wales. In Queensland and Victoria falls of between 1-25 millimetres are expected. Lighter falls of 5 and 15 millimetres are forecast across South Australia.
  • If realised, these expected falls are likely to provide an additional boost to soil moisture levels across many eastern and western cropping areas. These falls are also expected to support the germination and growth of early sown winter crops and may also encourage additional planting of crops in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.
• Rainfall during May 2026 was generally above average in eastern and central regions, and below average across parts of the northeast and west. Average to well above average rainfall outcomes across southern Queensland and northern New South Wales have boosted soil moisture level following an extended dry period.
• Pasture growth for the three months to May 2026 was mixed, with much of south-eastern and central Australia seeing robust pasture growth but below average growth was evident across areas of eastern, northern and western Australia. Soil moisture models indicate broadly average to above average soil moisture levels with exceptions in parts of western and eastern Australia.
• Water storage levels in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) increased by 576 gigalitres (GL) between 28 May 2026 and 4 June 2026. The current volume of water held in storages is 10,759 GL, equivalent to 48% of total storage capacity. This is 14% or 1,758 GL less than 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 $356/ML on 28 May 2026 to $334/ML on 4 June 2026. Trade from the Goulburn to the Murray is open. Trade downstream through the Barmah Choke is closed. Trade from the Murrumbidgee to the Murray is open.