The arid July has complicated the situation for farmers in the southern part of Western Australia.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), dry weather in southern regions of Western Australia is caused by the impact of a high-pressure system, which prevents the passage of low-pressure systems that bring cloud cover and rain. BOM Senior Hydrologist Masoud Edraki confirmed that dry conditions will persist throughout August and September, with long-term forecasts indicating a likelihood of wetter weather only in October.

For agricultural producers, the current situation entails serious risks. Grain and livestock producer Kevin O'Brien notes that due to weather conditions, farmers southeast of Perth expect yields significantly below average. According to him, to recover performance in the Wheatbelt regions, double the amount of rainfall is required in August and September. At the same time, diversifying business toward livestock has allowed some farms to partially offset crop losses against the backdrop of high sheep prices.

Water supply problems are becoming increasingly acute. Farmer O'Meara, who invested in strengthening catchments, reported that despite measures to collect minimal rainfall, water reserves in storage remain low, which is uncharacteristic for this time of year. In the near future, water shortages may become a serious obstacle to the operation of local farms.

The wine industry is also recording changes: winemaker from Margaret River Rob Gherardi reported that due to warm and dry weather, grapevines have broken dormancy ahead of schedule. This creates a threat of damage to young shoots in the event of potential storms in late winter or early spring. Furthermore, the persistence of arid conditions increases the risk of wildfires in the region during the summer period.