Business planning for drought preparedness and resilience in the variable climate of Northern Australia

Abstract

Northern Australia typically experiences an annual wet season (November to April) and dry season (May to October). However, it is common for wet seasons to fail, or be reduced, and dry periods to extend into drought. To survive the highly variable conditions that are predicted to increase with climate change, northern cattle producers are encouraged to implement management strategies for drought preparedness and resilience. Due to extensive land areas and high costs, most properties have limited fencing and water infrastructure which constrains best practice grazing land management.

The GrazingFutures Livestock Business Resilience project (GFLBR) is designed to enable a collaboration of livestock extension agencies to support Queensland cattle producers to analyse their business through the development of Farm Business Resilience Plans. Through the project, producers are supported to develop goals for their business and develop a plan to achieve these goals. Key business risks and challenges are also identified and strategies for risk reduction incorporated into the plan. A developed business plan also enables producers to apply for Queensland Government drought preparedness grants and low interest loans for improving capital infrastructure on their properties.

Kevin and Shelly Taylor on Ooralat Station, near Mt Surprise, Queensland, provide an outstanding case study of the benefits of using drought preparedness grants for improving capital infrastructure. The Taylor’s used the grants to fence 11 additional paddocks and improve water distribution. This work increased their ability to rest pastures over the wet season and thereby improve pasture composition and land condition. More water points for livestock have improved pasture utilisation across paddocks and property carrying capacity from 800 to 1,200 breeders. Irrigating pasture for hay production in one of the paddocks, has facilitated feed storage for managing future droughts.

The GrazingFutures Livestock Business Resilience project enables northern beef producers to be better prepared for climate variability, improve productivity and profitability, and landscape resilience.