No winter respite for farmers after dry July across southern WA

Crop loss concerns as parts of southern Western Australia record driest July on record Wed 5 Aug 2026 at 3:48pm In short: Parts of southern WA have recorded their driest July on record Farmers say the lack of rainfall could spark crop losses if it continues. What's next? The Bureau of Meteorology says the dry conditions are expected to remain for the next two months. Farmers are pinning their hopes on late winter rainfall, after a drier-than-anticipated July sparked growing concerns over potential crop losses. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said an average of 6.86 millimetres of rain fell across all WA districts last month, the driest July since 2012 and the fourth-driest on record since 1900. Below-average rainfall was recorded across the South West, Central West and Interior districts. WA's South West received just 42.05mm of total rain throughout July, well below the average 112.9mm, its second-driest July rainfall on record behind 2012. Paul O'Meehan, who farms beef and mixed crops near Borden, about 400 kilometres south of Perth, said the dry spell had come at a crucial time for farmers. "It's a part of the year that can get you out of trouble and set you up for spring, and we just haven't had it this year," he said. "We are very dry at the moment, and we shouldn't be this way going into August." Mr O'Meehan spent about a quarter of a million dollars lining his dam catchments last year, which has helped capture the minimal rainfall he received "We're probably about two-thirds full, but we've probably pumped a good third into the bottom dam … It's amazing what we've caught," he said. "[The dams] would be empty I reckon, which is crazy for end of July, early August, unheard of I would have thought. "In fact, water will be a problem around the district big time, pretty shortly." A further 250km north in Pingelly, the lack of rainfall is also being felt. Sheep and grain producer Kevin O'Brien said July's record low, off the back of several lacklustre months, had farmers south-east of Perth worried halfway through the season. "At this stage, we're staring down the barrel of very below-average yields," he said. Having recently set a new record of $420 a head for sheep at the Katanning sale yards, Mr O'Brien said diversifying his operation had provided some protection from the dry weather. But he said pure grain farmers would be struggling. "There are a few bucks in livestock, so we are a bit lucky that way, but croppers have had an ordinary season," he said. "There is a lot invested in crops and crop production; it's just huge dollars, and it's going to be tricky if we don't get some rain." Mr O'Brien said farmers across the Wheatbelt would need double the average August and September rainfall if they hoped to recover. Dry weather across the country BOM senior hydrologist Masoud Edraki said July had been dry nationally, with a high-pressure system sitting across southern WA a significant factor. "That high pressure has prevented the low-pressure system which brings clouds and rainfall into the south and has prevented rainfall conditions," he said. Dr Edraki said the BOM's long-range forecasts indicated little respite for the south of the state, with dry conditions expected to continue into August to September. However, longer-range forecasts indicate a wetter-than-expected October could provide some later relief in spring. Potential damage to vintage For winemaker Rob Girardi, the drier and warmer weather had seen the vines at his Margaret River vineyard come out of dormancy early. He said it could cause the grapes and vines damage in early spring, particularly if there were storms and rain in late winter and early spring. "It means delicate little fruiting tissue, fruiting vine growth is not exposed to as many of those storm," he said. "It's a little bit of a concern for us at the moment; there's not a lot you can do about it, but we are certainly observing," Mr Girardi said. Conversely, if the dry weather continued, it could leave the surrounding region more vulnerable to summer fires. "It might potentially be a sign that we might be having a longer fire period to be aware of," he said. "It's definitely in the forefront of our minds, for sure."