Climate change impacts and adaption strategies for pasture-based industries: Australian perspective

Abstract

In recent decades Australia has experienced warmer temperatures and, in southern Australia declining rainfall, and climate change projections indicate that these trends are likely to continue.  In southern Australia pasture growth patterns have changed with increased winter production but a contraction of the spring growing season and increased inter-annual variability of production.  A range of options have been investigated to adapt farm businesses to the changing climate including feedbase, livestock management and diversification.  The challenge for adaptation research is to better understand impacts and adaptation options for increases in extreme climate events, such as heatwaves, drought and intense rainfall events.