Aussie farmers: Climate change innovators against climate uncertainty
Aussie farmers are becoming climate change innovators. They're making strategic decisions to adapt to climate uncertainty and enhance business resilience. That’s the word from recent research, and from what we are seeing on farms across SEQ, we have to agree. We showcase some insights from the research study, and profile just some of the ways we are working with farmers to support them with best-practice strategies and actions for their business.
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Australian farmers are proactively modifying their agricultural practices to build resilience with the changing climate. |
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They are also prioritising financial resilience to buffer against climate-related uncertainties. |
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Read more about how Healthy Land & Water is supporting SEQ farmers in with the latest best practices to help build the resilience of their business and land. |
Australian farmers are facing unprecedented challenges due to the impacts of climate change and need innovative strategies for business viability and resilience.
Research conducted by Charles Darwin University (CDU) PhD student David McKenzie explored the conditions and adaptive processes for managing farm resilience and cyclic adaptation pathways, in response to climate change, through interviews with 22 farmers representing various agricultural sectors.
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Find out how Healthy Land & Water is supporting farmers in South East Queensland
Healthy Land & Water has been busy working on the ground to support South East Queensland’s farmers with an array of projects aimed at increasing farming resilience to this ever-changing climate. From the opening of a new Drought Node for SEQ, to capacity building activities we are supporting landholders through:
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Adaptive innovations in farming practices
The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are disrupting traditional farming practices and threatening the viability of agricultural enterprises. Australian farmers are experiencing shifts in rainfall patterns, temperature variability, and the occurrence of unprecedented climate events, necessitating adaptive adjustments in farming operations.
Farmers are proactively modifying their agricultural practices to better align with changing climatic conditions. Strategic decisions such as altering planting times, adjusting grazing strategies, and diversifying crop and animal species are being implemented to optimise productivity and resilience.
These innovations come from both individual farm-level experiences and collective learning through social networks and advisory support.
Financial resilience strategies
In addition to operational adaptations, farmers are prioritising financial resilience to buffer against climate-related uncertainties.
Various financial strategies, including the creation of financial reserves through livestock sales, investment in farm management deposits, and reinvestment of profits into farm infrastructure, are being used to mitigate the financial risks associated with climate variability.
Resources:
https://researchers.cdu.edu.au/en/publications/eastern-australian-farmers-managing-and-thinking-differently-inno
