Summary of key issues:
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During the week ending 4 March 2015 rainfall was mainly recorded across western, northern and eastern Australia.
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February 2015 rainfall was below average to average across much of Australia.
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Rainfall deficiencies have increased in extent and severity across southern South Australia, western Victoria and along the west coast of Tasmania.
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Relative upper layer soil moisture for February 2015 was mostly above average across southeastern Australia and below average over much of the rest of the country.
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Water storage levels in the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB) decreased this week by 242 gigalitres (GL) and are at 44 per cent of total capacity.
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The world wheat indicator price (US No. 2 hard red winter, free on board Gulf ports) averaged US$244 a tonne in the week ending 3 March 2015.
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The Queensland young cattle indictor price (330–400 kg live weight C3) averaged 443 cents a kilogram (dressed weight) in the week ending 27 February 2015.
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Changes to the saleyard indicator prices of lamb (18–22kg fat score 2–4) were mixed across the states in the week ending 27 February 2015.