The condition of stock throughout the region ranges from good to excellent, with the quality and quantity of pastures also being good to excellent. In coastal areas, however, pasture quality may be reduced through excessive growth. Surface water supplies, however, continue to remain critically low in some areas, with major and minor storages very low. Major surface water storages have been supplemented by run-off from the storms. Groundwater levels in the region remain stable.
Stock are in an average to above average condition.
Cropping activities continue, with a definite trend towards mung beans, due to ergot problems and price expectations with sorghum. The North region has started the year with the best conditions since 1992. Pasture supplies are good to excellent in all areas. Stock are in good to excellent condition in all areas, with slaughter cattle already in good supply and filling meatworks capacity. One area of concern is the prolonged growth of tropical pastures, with quality likely to be reduced.