Climate & weather

Enabling farm businesses to better manage the increasing seasonal variability is critical for the success of the Western Australian agrifood sector. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is enabling farm businesses to make more informed planning and financial decisions on weather and climate risks. These decisions range from short-term tactical decisions, through to managing strategic planning for climatic futures. The development of improved weather data and seasonal forecasting tools are designed to assist you to better manage and take full advantage of the opportunities related to seasonal variability and climate change.

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has launched a new website; emergency.wa.gov.au. This website will replace the existing alerts and warnings websites from DFES and Parks and Wildlife, enabling people to get critical public information during fire, flood, storm, earthquake, tsunami and emergencies involving hazardous materials.

Articles

  • Mottled pods

    Of the pulses, field peas are more vulerable to frost due to thin pod walls and exposure of flowers to frost. 

  • Young pods abort or are poorly filled

    Canola is most susceptible to frost damage from flowering to the clear watery stage (approximately 60% moisture). Plants frequently recover from frost at early flowering by producing more flowers.

  • Growing oaten hay on frost-prone paddocks minimises the frost risk as it is cut soon after flowering, avoiding the frost-sensitive period.

  • Plants affected at flowering develop wilted upper foliage

    Narrow-leafed lupins tolerate frost in early growth stages but are susceptible when growing rapidly from flowering to early pod fill.

  • Withered and split leaf tips

    Heat stress is caused by high temperatures and hot dry winds before or during flowering.

  • Darker coloured plants from induced phosphorus deficiency

    Early moisture stress may affect germination and early growth. Water stressed seedlings are more severely affected by other constraints.

  • Later maturing variety is more affected

    Spring drought refers to plant water stress from insufficient rainfall or stored soil moisture from bud formation to maturity.

  • Scattered germination due to insufficient soil moisture

    Early drought may affect germination and early growth. Water stressed seedlings are more severely affected by other constraints and may have induced nutrient deficiencies.

Filter by search

Filter by topic