Managing Climate Variability

Improved climate forecasts enabling stocking rates to be better matched to feed availability is a priority for the long-term sustainability and productivity of Australia’s wool industry. Currently, scepticism about the accuracy of seasonal forecasts is the main reason why some woolgrowers don't react to unfavourable predictions [Land, Water & Wool Best Practice Survey 2003].

The Managing Climate Variability sub-program focused on better adaptation of existing information as opposed to generic climate science research. The program aimed to work with woolgrowers in the pastoral zone in particular to make more effective use of improved seasonal climate forecasts in grazing management decisions.

Specifically, the objective of Managing Climate Variability was to rapidly increase woolgrower awareness and use of seasonal forecasts, initially in priority, drought-prone regions, contributing to sustainable grazing management. Six projects were established nationally as part of this sub-program, which had ongoing, direct contact with more than 1000 woolgrowers through newsletters, on-line resources, local workshops and grower groups.

Web tool

• Drafting Gate – The ‘Climate Risk Management Drafting Gate’ will help farmers and graziers factor seasonal climate forecasts into their management decisions: http://lwa.gov.au/apps/draftinggate/

Publications

• Improving seasonal forecasts for woolgrowers (PDF 343Kb)
• Betting on rain – managing seasonal risk in western NSW (PDF 2.8Mb)
• Improved seasonal forecasts for wool producers in western NSW: Final Report (PDF 1.69Mb)
• Providing climate variability information to wool producers in the Western Australian southern pastoral zone: Final Report (PDF 7.04Mb)
• Improved seasonal forecasts for wool producers in the South Australia pastoral zone: Final Report (PDF 1.2Mb)