Recent climate
The rainfall decile map for 1 April to 2 July 2023 indicates decile 1-3 rainfall for parts of the Central West, Central Wheatbelt, South West and Great Southern forecast districts. Parts of the Central Wheatbelt, Great Southern, South West and South Coastal and South East Coastal forecast districts have received decile 8-10 rainfall.
For information on climate drivers refer to the Bureau of Meteorology’s Climate Driver Update.
The latest plant available soil water map uses evapotranspiration of a generic wheat crop. This is estimated using the FAO crop factor method, where the timing of crop germination (break of season) is estimated using a two part rule, such that germination is assumed to occur if there is 25mm of rainfall over three days after 25 April and before 5 June, or if there is 5 mm of rainfall after 5 June. This map is for the mean of 10 soil types. For location specific and soil specific plant available soil water graphs see the soil water tool.
The potential yield map indicates the maximum yield possible given rainfall in the absence of any other constraints. Estimates of potential wheat yield is obtained using the French and Schultz potential yield model. Here two water use efficiency values are shown 12 and 15 kg/ha/mm and evaporation of 90mm (for later sowing and emergence, as the majority of the SWLD had a late break this year) with a decile 3 rainfall finish (as this is what the majority of seasonal outlooks are indicating). For location specific potential yield information, with selection of evaporation and WUE see the potential yield tool.
