That’s the view of Gary Allan, NSW DPI project leader climate risk management, who is promoting resilient and flexible farming systems, sustainable management practices and climate risk management – to cope with predictions of climate variability.

“There is a range of measures, including good farming practices, that can help producers adapt to extremes in temperature and reduced rainfall,” Mr Allan said.

“Retaining soil moisture, building soil organic carbon, reducing heat stress in animals, irrigating efficiently, crossbreeding for adaptable animals, maintaining good groundcover of resilient pastures – these measures are here now and good farmers are making use of them.

“Australian farmers have a history of adapting to the extremes of their harsh climate through risk management and flexible systems – and we need to build on this capacity.

“More and more farmers are improving their understanding of the climate, taking steps to implement adaptation strategies for their enterprise, and even looking at how their greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced.

“It will be tough for many, but with the help of good science and a willingness to adapt, they will have great potential to meet the climate challenge.”

Mr Allan said NSW DPI was applying an integrated response to understanding the impacts of climate change on the industries it serves, supporting climate change adaptation and ways of reducing agricultural emissions.

“In July 2006, NSW DPI launched the Climate Risk Management Project, the key action for agriculture in the NSW Government’s Greenhouse Plan,” he said.

“Since that time, this project has co-ordinated a range of activities in regional NSW to support farmers,” he said.

“Fifteen regional climate change forums have been staged at major regional centres, in partnership with the majority of NSW Catchment Management Authorities.

“More than 750 producers and rural professionals have participated in the one day training workshop, ‘The Farmers Guide to Managing Climate Risk’.

“NSW DPI extension staff have also delivered

key information to producers in various

workshops.”

* The NSW DPI's free Meeting the Climate Challenge will be in this week's The Land.