Climate variability is one of the biggest challenges in agriculture. One season too dry; the next too wet. From frost to heatwaves, each extreme has its own risk. While it is impossible to control the weather, a better understanding of climate risk can help primary producers minimise its potential to impact on their business. A […]
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While farmers are often adept judges of crop and pasture yield potential, soil moisture monitoring technology now provides concrete data on plant available moisture to help drive decision making. Image 1: Soil moisture monitoring probes have been established at dryland cropping and pasture locations throughout Victoria. Source: Dale Boyd. Real time data from Agriculture Victoria’s […]
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When Gillian Sanbrook moved from the Riverina plains at Jerilderie to the Wymah Valley, in the South West Slopes of NSW, she expected to find reliable rainfall and plenty of cattle feed. But the area known for its 750mm annual average rainfall has been anything but cooperative. Since she arrived on the 990-hectare property, Bibbaringa, […]
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Climate risk tools play an important role in helping primary producers to understand climate drivers and their impact on the seasonal outlook. These skills take time to build, with long-term users more confident in using the tools to manage seasonal risk. In a recent survey of subscribers to The Break seasonal climate risk newsletter more […]
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Barry James White (21 Sept.1942 – 26 Dec.2018) In December 2018, Queensland and Australia lost one of their most talented agricultural professionals, and a leader in the science of climate change/variability (agroclimatologist). Initially working as a cadet in the soil conservation service of the Queensland Dept. of Agriculture and Stock, Barry initially became interested in […]
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