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Foot-and-mouth disease
In September 2023, the Bureau of Meteorology (The Bureau) declared an El Niño event was underway in Australia indicating a hotter and drier outlook, particularly for the eastern and southern states. Following this outlook and the very dry conditions experienced from August to October, many were surprised by the high amounts of rainfall and summer storms experienced in some regions. Interestingly, rainfall for January was actually above average for Australia as a whole.
Eastern and southeastern states received a deluge of rainfall and summer storms, which was largely influenced by the climate driver Summer Annular Mode (SAM). When SAM is in its positive phase, it is associated with increased summer rainfall in eastern states, although it is more commonly associated with La Niña years. As the El Niño weakened towards the end of January, ex-Tropical Cyclone Kirrily brought heavy rainfall across northern and western parts of Queensland, also reaching parts of central NSW before moving west towards Western Australia.
While the unexpectedly wet summer has been welcomed in some areas, the high rainfall may present challenges for livestock health and biosecurity. There are pathogens, pests and parasites that can thrive in warm and moist conditions. Listed below are a number of diseases to be on the lookout for based on the livestock species.
Be on the lookout for:
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Be on the lookout for:
Further information:
Be on the lookout for:
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Be on the lookout for:
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Another disease worth mentioning is anthrax, recently detected on a farm in Victoria. Anthrax outbreaks are rare, and usually limited to a region known as the ‘anthrax belt’ which includes parts of southern Queensland, central New South Wales and Victoria. The risk of anthrax is heightened by disturbed soil, such as after heavy rainfall or moderate rainfall following a long dry spell.
Long-range forecast
The Bureau is now forecasting a drier autumn for much of northern and eastern Australia, particularly for coastal regions. However, Autumn rainfall is also likely to be above median for interior parts of the country.
While long-range forecasts provide a valuable insight into approaching weather, it’s worth keeping in mind that the historical accuracy of these forecasts varies depending on the region. As we’ve seen from recent weather events this summer, it’s always useful to ‘expect the unexpected’.