Summary of key issues:
- June 2013 rainfall was variable across Australia. Above average rainfall was recorded across much of southeast Australia and northern Western Australia.
- During June 2013 upper layer soil moisture levels have improved across the eastern Australian wheatbelt, while in Western Australia soil moisture levels have declined.
- Water storage levels in the Murray–Darling Basin increased this week by 183 gigalitre (GL) and are at 71 per cent of total capacity.
- Opening water allocations have been announced for a number of irrigation regions for the 2013/14 season.
- The world wheat indicator price (US No. 2 hard red winter, free on board Gulf ports) averaged US$303 a tonne in the week ending 2 July 2013, compared with US$321 in the previous week.
- The Queensland young cattle indicator price (330–400 kg live weight C3) increased by around 7 per cent in the week ending 28 June 2013 to 304 cents a kilogram.
- Australian beef and veal exports were 88 000 tonnes (shipped weight) in June 2013, around 8 per cent higher than in June 2012.
- Australian lamb exports were 17 000 tonnes (shipped weight) in June 2013, around 7 per cent higher than in June 2012.