A grazier’s best Mate
Helping to manage climate risk
GRAZIERS across northern Australia will be able to better manage climate risk and improve business resilience thanks to the new Climate Mates service.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development Mark Furner said Climate Mates were part-time project officers delivering new and improved climate information and forecasts focusing on pastoral and risk management across Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia.
“The devastating impacts of this current drought show the importance of improving climate forecasts so that we can better predict, prepare for, and be resilient in the face of climate impacts when they hit,” Mr Furner said.
“A better understanding of climate variability helps build resilience during drought and other climate change events.”
Mr Furner said the Climate Mates would be mentored by an experienced team of climate risk management researchers from the University of Southern Queensland and grazing industry extension officers to help them develop and deliver a climate service based on the main climate drivers in their region.
“Climate Mates will be based in central Queensland, north Queensland, southwest Queensland, northwest Queensland, Barkly Tableland and Victoria River/east Kimberley,” he said.
“This program is part of the $8 million Northern Australian Climate Program which helps the grazing industry better manage drought and climate risks through a range of research, development and extension activities.
“NACP is a partnership between the Queensland Government, Meat and Livestock Australia Donor Company and USQ, with extra on-ground support from the Northern Territory and Western Australian governments and Rangelands NRM.
“NACP is one of nine current projects under the $21 million Drought and Climate Adaptation Program that brings together the best climate scientists, climate advisers, and cutting-edge researchers in the state, nationally and globally to help Queensland primary producers better manage drought and climate impacts.”
USQ Professor Roger Stone said the climate service would assist producers to improve climate variability knowledge and build skills to help them manage in both the good and poor years.
“Climate Mates are regionally located across northern Australia and will be able to engage directly with producers and offer climate information and forecasts specifically tailored to their region,” he said.
“The Climate Mates are an integral part of NACP, liaising with local producers, testing new products and also to gathering feedback from producers and industry to inform further research and development.”
MLA R&D Program Manager Doug McNicholl said the practical management options delivered by the NCAP project would help boost sustainability of grazing businesses in northern Australia.
“Research within NACP includes attempting to improve seasonal forecasts, predictions of multi-year droughts and wet season onset, and quantifying the development of fast developing, or ‘flash’ droughts,” Mr McNicholl said.
“Extension programs such as Climate Mates are critical to driving engagement with producers so that they can better understand how to use these new tools and also to provide feedback to MLA.”