Summary of key issues:
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For the week ending 26 April 2016, maximum temperatures were above average across much of Australia.
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The latest ‘National Climate Outlook’ released by the Bureau of Meteorology indicates that above average rainfall is likely across most of Australia for the period May to July 2016.
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The forecast for the next eight days indicates that rainfall is expected in all states and territories.
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The 2015-16 El Niño continues to decline in the tropical Pacific.
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Water storage levels in the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB) decreased by 80 gigalitres (GL) during the week ending 28 April 2016.
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The young cattle indicator price (330–400 kg live weight C3) averaged 533 cents a kilogram (dressed weight) in Queensland in the week ending 22 April 2016.
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The Victorian lamb indicator price (18–22kg fat score 2–4) averaged 529 cents a kilogram (dressed weight) in the week ending 22 April 2016.
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The world wheat indicator price (US No. 2 hard red winter, free on board Gulf ports) was US$204 a tonne in the week ending 26 April 2016.