B.NBP.0564 - On-farm demonstration of adaptation and mitigation options for climate change across northern Australia
| Project start date: | 20 June 2010 |
| Project end date: | 31 March 2013 |
| Publication date: | 01 January 2014 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grassfed cattle, Grainfed cattle |
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Summary
Productivity growth and returns on investment are generally static or declining across much of the northern Australian beef industry. Together with high debt levels and increased costs, these pressures are seriously undermining the resilience of beef businesses to climatic variability and market shocks. That said, recent analysis in the sector has found that some businesses are performing well, which suggests there are opportunities to increase the average performance (and resilience) of the industry. Animal production and land management research in northern Australia has highlighted several areas of opportunity to lift performance in a cost-effective way. However, when faced with an array of choices, it is often difficult for producers to determine which will deliver the best return on investment for their business in the medium to long-term.
Objectives
The project aimed to increase producer awareness, knowledge, attitudes and skills in the evaluation and implementation of climate change mitigation and/or adaption strategies through on-farm demonstrations and associated case studies and activities in each region.
Key findings
The Climate Clever Beef project engaged with beef producers in five regions of northern Australia to identify management strategies that improve the performance and resilience of beef businesses. The work was done in the context of increasing the resilience of businesses to current climate variability as well as to projected future changes in climate. The project also undertook analyses to identify potential synergies and conflicts between improved business performance, climate adaptation practices and greenhouse gas emissions management. Industry engagement was achieved via on-property demonstration sites, case studies and a large number of industry forums, field days and workshops.
Benefits to industry
The Climate Clever Beef project, using an improvement framework, identified options for current beef businesses to benchmark and improve their business resilience in terms of profitability, productivity, land condition, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change risk.
MLA action
Supporting producers through research and to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change to remain productive and profitable is a priority for MLA.
Future research
Since the conclusion of the climate clever beef project, further research and adoption projects have aimed to support beef producers to adapt to a challenging climate.
More information
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
| Primary researcher: | Department of Agriculture and Fisheries |
