Key points:

• Drought conditions continue unabated in New South Wales and parts of Queensland, with the Bureau of Meteorology reporting that July 2018 was the driest nationally since 2002.
• Conditions in Victoria and South Australia are better, although mostly drier than average and would be challenged by a dry spring. Meanwhile, the Western Australian wheatbelt is enjoying broadly favourable conditions and looks set for a strong season, with average to above average yields.
• The drought has sent feed prices even higher across eastern Australia as livestock producers scramble to source adequate supplies. Grain is now moving from Western Australia to the east, a trend which may continue if – as seems likely – the eastern states see below average winter (and potentially summer) crops this season.
• Restocker cattle prices are under considerable pressure, although there has been a shortage of finished cattle in the market. Trade lamb has performed very strongly indeed, reaching the high 700s level late last month, although it has since fallen somewhat.
• Overall, the NAB Rural Commodities Index was up 1.3% in July, led largely by higher grain and lamb prices.

For further details, please see the attached report:

• Rural Commoditites Wrap August 2018 (PDF, 2.4mb)