Total Standing Dry Matter
Total Standing Dry Matter, measured in Kg/Ha have increased in all states. In comparison to updates at the end of January 2024, the national TSDM image shows a reduction in areas with less than 500kg DM/Ha. This is evidenced in the reduction of red shading (indicating less than 500kg DM/Ha) and increased areas of amber and yellow shades. This is particularly notable in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania.
GSDM
The GSDM maps for late November to mid-December 2024 illustrate ongoing disparities in green biomass recovery across regions: • Southeastern Australia: Significant gains were observed in eastern New South Wales, Victoria, and parts of Tasmania, with biomass levels ranging from 750 to 1500 kg/DM/ha. Southeastern Queensland saw notable improvements, with areas exceeding 1250 kg/DM/ha, driven by consistent rainfall. • Northern Australia: Improvements are evident in northern Queensland and localized pockets of the Top End, with green biomass levels reaching 500–1000 kg/DM/ha. However, large areas remain below 500 kg/DM/ha. • Southwestern Western Australia: Green biomass remains low, predominantly within the 250–500 kg/DM/ha range, indicating slow recovery. Coastal zones display limited gains, but inland areas show persistent deficits. • Central Australia: Green biomass levels remain critically low (≤ 250 kg/DM/ha), reflecting continued arid conditions and minimal vegetation recovery. • Tasmania and Southeastern New South Wales: While moderate biomass levels persist (500–1000 kg/DM/ha), recovery continues to lag other southeastern cropping zones, highlighting the variability in rainfall impacts. These patterns emphasize strong vegetation responses in eastern and northern regions, while central and southwestern areas face ongoing challenges due to limited rainfall and arid conditions.
Green Standing Dry Matter
Green Standing dry matter levels are largely in line with the images displayed by Fractional Cover. Of note is the rapid increase in Green Standing Dry Matter in the Top End of the Northern Territory, as well as in the eastern Gulf and Cape York region of Queensland. In these areas recordings over 2000kg Green Standing Dry Matter / Ha have significantly increased in the two weeks since the previous updates.
Ground Cover
National Ground Cover levels (30-day rolling average) continue to improve in those areas of Western Australia such as the Pilbara and Gascoyne regions. In the eastern states, ground cover levels remain reasonably stable.
Fractional Cover
The widespread rainfall associated with ex Tropical cyclone Kirrily has significantly contributed to an expansion in areas experiencing new biomass growth. The Fractional Cover image indicates new growth throughout the Gulf country of Northwest Queensland, through to areas east of Mount Isa and then south towards Charleville and St George. In the Northern Territory, the northern Barkly, from Camooweal on the Queensland border, west across to Elliott and Kalkarindji are experiencing conditions that allow significant growth to occur. In the southern states, growth remains a feature along the coastal areas, and west to Dubbo in NSW. Some recent rainfall events around Bourke have also supported growth events. Much of eastern & southern Victoria are also experiencing good levels of growth.
Dead Standing Dry Matter
Dead Standing Dry Matter have not significantly altered from the previous updates, with levels of Dead Standing Dry Matter to be at or below 500kg/DM/Ha. The exceptions continue to be areas of dead material and carry over feed along watercourses in north and central Qld, southern NSW, the Flinders Ranges in SA and along a line extending from north of Geraldton to west of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.
Decile Total Standing Dry Matter
The seasonal ranking image which ranks current conditions against the average of the past eight years, has remained largely unchanged from the previous update. Areas that are well below the long-term seasonal average include the southwest of Western Australia, Pilbara and Gascoyne and southwest Tasmania. There are also fairly large areas in Victoria’s southwest, South Australia and southwest Queensland that are below the long-term averages for this time of the year.
