Source: www.lwa.gov.au
Topic: Forecasting
Sort Desciption: Seasonal climate forecasting to improve dairy farmers' feedbase management climate variability; forecasting; dairying
Content Inside: Seasonal climate forecasting to improve dairy farmers' feedbase management June 2004 - May 2007 Location: Wollongbar Agricultural Institute Northern NSW Principal investigator Katrina Sinclair NSW Department of Primary Industries The need Dairy farmers in the coastal regions of New South Wales and Queensland are under pressure from a deregulated domestic market and increased competition for land and water from urban development and other intensive agricultural enterprises. This is resulting in farm rationalisation and intensification on existing farms. Intensification is being achieved by increased herd sizes higher stocking rates and greater input of fertiliser and supplements. Rainfall is high and seasonal along the subtropical eastern coastline; it is also highly variable and unreliable. Irrigation is used to overcome water deficits but with the imminent implementation of Water Sharing Plans irrigation water will be restricted or unavailable. Managing the feedbase will become increasingly challenging for dairy farmers. A lack of knowledge and understanding of climate variability seasonal weather patterns seasonal climate forecasting (SCF) tools and their implications for production is currently limiting their capacity to meet these challenges. How this project fits with MCV objectives This project addresses the MCV objectives of providing tools and services for managing climate risk and increasing the adoption of climate risk management by farmers. Project objectives 1. Investigate the opportunity for dairy farmers to use climate variability and seasonal forecasting data in their feed management strategies 2. Evaluate the skill and usefulness of integrating climate variability and SCF with a feed modelling capability for investigating seasonal pasture and fodder production options for the sub-tropical dairy region 3. Provide dairy farmers with an education and training package on accessing and using climate and weather informati ...
