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Apri l 2013

CLIMATE

NSW seasonal out lookA wetter than normal season is more likely for northern and eastern NSW, with averagerainfall likely for the rest of the state. Cooler days and warmer nights are favoured innortheastern NSW, and cooler nights in the states southwest. This outlook is due mainly tothe warmer than normal waters in the Indian Ocean; near normal temperatures in the tropicalPacific Ocean have had a minimal impact. The skill in predicting NSWs April to J une rainfalloutlook is moderately consistent over most of NSW, as shown below right.http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ahead/

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Ocean temperaturesOver the past month ocean temperatures have cooled off WA and Queensland coasts, whilewarm waters are still evident between Tasmania and New Zealand. Summer oceantemperatures around Australia were exceptionally warm, with sea surface temperaturesposting their hottest month on record in February, and warmest summer on record.

Above: Ocean temperatures on 1 Apr il (lef t), and 4 March (r ight ).http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Products/ocean/sst/anomaly/index.html

El Nino developmentsApril to J une is a difficult time of the year forENSO predictions, but models agree that El Nioand La Nia are unlikely to develop in comingmonths. Atmospheric and oceanic indicators andclimate model forecasts indicate neutralconditions are likely to continue through autumn.http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/enso/

Climate models dashboardBoM has developed a visual dashboard to summarise El Nino/La Nina outlooks proposed byinternational climate models. The arrows indicate the combined average of the models.

http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ahead/model-summary.shtml

Water storagesNSWs water storages are just under 60% of capacity, the lowestlevel of all the states, and 23% down on the same time last year.http://water.bom.gov.au/waterstorage/awris/

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March heatwaveThe heatwave that affected southern NSW, Victoria and SA between 2 and 13 March andbroke several temperature records, was due to a near-stationary high pressure system in theTasman Sea, which directed warm northerly air into southeast Australia.http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs45.pdf

Below: Maximum (left) and minimum (right) temperature anomalies during the heatwave.

Record 2012-13 summerThe summer of 201213 was Australiashottest on record, with J anuary the hottestmonth ever. Mean temperatures for thesummer were 1.44C above normal, 0.13 Cabove the previous record set in 199798.Every State and Territory except Tasmaniahad a summer in their ten warmest onrecord.http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/season/aus/summary.shtml

Extreme weather leads to insurance rating changesAustralia has been re-rated on international reinsurance markets after another summer offlooding and extreme weather raised the country's peril profile. Addresses with extreme riskfrom floods number 3860 in NSW, 51,506 in Queensland, 10,239 in Victoria, 49,576 in SouthAustralia, 10,000 in WA and 4100 in Tasmania.http://www.smh.com.au/business/costs-soar-for-reinsurers-20130217-2el7q.html

Changing airwaves contributing to extreme conditionsA new paper by German researchers suggests that man-made climate change is disturbingthe patterns of airflow around the northern hemisphere. Air travels in waves round the planet,the waves caused by the difference in temperature between the oceans and land surfaces.The reduced temperature differential between Europe and the warming Arctic is leading tostrong amplification of the usually weak, slow-moving component of these waves, resulting inunchanging conditions, sometimes for weeks, leading to extreme weather.http://www.pik-potsdam.de/news/press-releases/weather-extremes-provoked-by-trapping-of-giant-waves-in-the-atmosphere

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CLIMATE RESOURCES

Earth continues to warmThe Climate Commission has issued a newreport showing that the Earth continues towarm strongly, based on long term

observations of the heat content of the ocean,the air temperature, and the amount of heatabsorbed by the land, glaciers, ice sheets andsea ice. The best measure of global warmingis ocean heat content as it absorbs nearly90% of additional heat trapped bygreenhouse gases.http://climatecommission.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/Earth-continues-to-warm-FINAL.pdf

Current period warmest in 11,300 yearsReconstruction of regional and global

temperatures over the past 11,300 years hasfound that global average temperatures arenow higher than they have been for about75% of the past 11,300 years. After the iceage, global average temperatures rose untilthey reached a plateau between 7550 and3550 BC after which a cooling trend set in,reaching its lowest temperature extremebetween AD 1450 and 1850. Since then,temperatures have been increasingdramatically. In the past 100 years, globalaverage temperatures have risen from near

their coldest point since the ice age to nearlytheir warmest.http://www.sciencemag.org/content/339/6124/1198.full

Drivers and impacts of Millennium DroughtA new study into the drivers of the 2001-09 Millennium Drought and its impacts says keycausative pathways from physical drought to the degradation of ecological, economic, andsocial health remain poorly understood and quantified. Combined with the multipledimensions of multiyear droughts and the spectre of climate change, this means futuredroughts may well break records in new ways and not necessarily be managed better thanpast ones.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wrcr.20123/abstract

Impact of the recent Victor ian droughtAnalysis of sediment records from several western Victorian lakes showed that there havebeen several severe, long lasting droughts over the last 5000 years, and that the presentstate of lakes is highly unusual, if not unprecedented, due partly to decline in effective rainfallin recent decades.https://rirdc.infoservices.com.au/items/12-040

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Dryland farming: rainfall and profitabilityA study of the relative profitability of dryland farming enterprises in southeast Australia underselected rainfall and price scenarios showed that profitability is currently affected more bychanges in rainfall than by commodity prices. Dairy enterprises are the most profitable on a$/ha basis, and the profitability of wheat, steer and prime lamb enterprises are least affectedby low rainfall scenarios. Self-replacing cowcalf beef systems, canola and dairy enterprises

are the most vulnerable to reduced rainfall and may benefit by reducing profit risk throughchanges such as expanding the enterprise or diversifying across other types of enterprises.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308521X13000048

Economics of agricultural climate changeA new UK report into the economics of climate resilience has found that farmers necessaryfocus on the short term coupled with tight profit margins, particularly for livestock farmers,limits adaptive capacity and longer term adaptation investment and planning. A large numberof policy objectives, some conflicting, also reduce farmers capacity to adapt.

Above: The yel low dots indicate anticipated level of adopt ion. The red l ines i llus tratevariation in farmers adaptive capacity and effectiveness.http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Module=More&Location=None&ProjectID=18016

Barriers to climate change adaptationThe Productivity Commission has released its final report on policy and regulatory barriers toclimate change adaptation. Recommendations include increasing the quality and availabilityof natural hazard mapping; more flexible land use planning regulations, and clarifying theroles, responsibilities and legal liability of local governments, and improving their capacity tomanage climate risks.http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/climate-change-adaptation/report

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ABC Country Hour climate podcastIn a recent Country Hour podcast, climate scientist Andy Pitman discusses whether globalwarming and climate change are real, outlines changes we may see in the climate, andresponds to questions from rural NSW listeners.http://www.abc.net.au/rural/nsw/content/2013/03/s3721717.htm?site=sydney

2012 climate summary on youtubeBoM has summarised Australias 2012 climate events in a two minute video.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baGgSZY-Tgk

EMISSIONS

Proposed addit ions to CFI positive listThe Federal Government is proposing to add three new activities to the CFI positive list. Theactivities are: small-scale farm forestry plantations, passive oxidation of small landfills, andcreation of waterponds in rangeland areas. It is also proposed that the wording of two otheractivities, for diversion of landfill waste, and ruminant animal feeding, be amended to meet

the CFI additionality requirement.http://climatechange.gov.au/government/initiatives/carbon-farming-initiative/subscribe/2013-03.aspx

Methodology proposals open for commentThe Domestic Offsets Integrity Committee has released two new CFI methodology proposalsfor public consultation, to do with waste composting, and dietary additives for milking cows.Comments are invited until 10 April 2013.http://climatechange.gov.au/government/initiatives/carbon-farming-initiative/methodology-development/proposals.aspx

ABARES emissions talksThe Blantyre Farms case study Turning pigs poo into power was one of several

presentations on agricultural emissions given at the recent ABARES Outlook conference.http://www.daff.gov.au/abares/outlook/conference-program

WATER

Hawkesbury Nepean Valley f lood management reviewThe NSW Government has commenced a detailed review of the flood managementarrangements for the Hawkesbury-Nepean valley following extensive rains in 2012 whichsaw Warragamba Dam spill for the first time in 14 years. The review will consider floodplanning, flood mitigation and flood response.http://www.water.nsw.gov.au/Water-management/Basins-and-catchments/Hawkesbury-catchment/Hawkesbury-catchment

Key lessons for living with floodsAustralia needs to factor in climate change, future climate impacts and ecosystemmanagement in its flood management, according to a recent review of four inquiries intoflood mitigation and adaptation in Queensland and Victoria. The review found that none ofthe inquiries considered future climate impacts whereas climate change is a driving forcebehind flood reforms in other countries where levee banks no longer offer enough protectionin extreme events. For instance, the US, China and the Netherland now divert flooding rivers

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into agricultural land around threatened towns and pay farming communities for incomeforgone while the land is flooded.http://www.nccarf.edu.au/sites/default/files/attached_files_publications/Wenger-2013-Living-with-Floods-FINAL-Web.pdf

Womens voices from the floodplainsThis report looks at the impact of floods on rural women in Queensland and Victoria, and

how disaster relief can be improved to address these impacts.http://www.security4women.org.au/wp-content/uploads/eS4W_Womens-Voices-from-the-Flood-Plains_Report.pdf

ABARES Outlook on waterThe Murray Darling Basin plan was the subject of several ABARES Outlook presentationslast month. Topics included implementation, ecological outcomes, and an irrigatorsperspective.http://www.daff.gov.au/abares/outlook/conference-program

SOILS

Problems in estimating soil carbon changesReliable detection and estimation of soil carbon change remain as significant barriers to soilcarbon accounting and trading say UNE researchers. Where it is possible to detect soilcarbon change resulting from agricultural management, quantities stored are unlikely tomake a significant contribution to reductions in net greenhouse gas emissions. Historicalfactors and non-agricultural land-use options are likely to provide more significant potentialfor long-term soil carbon storage in this environment.http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2013/EGU2013-3685.pdf

Carbon, nitrogen and salinityAustralian researchers have found that in the short term, addition of a readily available and

easily decomposable source of energy improves the ability of microbes to tolerate salinity.The results also suggest that in saline soils, irrespective of the carbon source, nitrogenaddition has no impact, or a negative impact, on microbial activity and growth.http://www.publish.csiro.au/index.cfm?act=view_file&file_id=SR12191.pdf

Soil organic carbon and land useA series of posters looking at land use change and land management impacts on soil organiccarbon were shown at the European Geosciences Union General Assembly in Viennarecently. Poster abstracts can be viewed online.http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2013/posters/11938

Minerals important factor in stabilising soil carbonA European study of factors that influence soil organic carbon found that association withminerals is the most important factor in stabilisation of organic carbon in soils, irrespective ofvegetation, soil type, and land use.http://www.biogeosciences.net/10/1675/2013/bg-10-1675-2013.html

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ENERGY

Canola farm biodiesel plantA new biodiesel facility on an Echuca canola farm will produce up to two million litres of fuel ayear to fuel machinery at the farm and sell to customers. It will also generate up to 4000tonnes of animal feed.http://www.mmg.com.au/local-news/echuca/biodiesel-project-launches-near-echuca-1.43503

BIODIVERSITY

Flexible grazing management favours native plantsA three year trial of different sheep grazing regimes in Victoria found that some grazingexclusion may enhance survival of species most sensitive to grazing. Exclusion of grazing inspring increased grazing-sensitive native forb species and exotic annual species, whileextended exclusion reduced exotics and increased native plants. Native forbs speciesincreased with a 3-month grazing exclusion, but declined with year-round exclusion due toaccumulation of biomass. Having a mosaic of flexible grazing management regimes acrossthe landscape is likely to benefit native plant diversity.http://www.publish.csiro.au/index.cfm?act=view_file&file_id=RJ12074.pdf

Queensland proposes changes to vegetation managementThe Queensland Government is proposing several changes to streamline vegetationmanagement. A Bill before Parliament includes clearing for high value agriculture, removal ofhigh value regrowth, and self-assessable clearing codes. The Bill has been referred to aparliamentary committee for consideration and public consultation. If passed throughParliament, the Bill is expected to come into effect towards the end of 2013.http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/vegetation/vegetation-management.html

$70 bill ion outcome from biocontrol of rabbitsA recent study has found that biological control of rabbits in Australia over the past 60 yearshas produced a benefit of A$70 billion for agricultural industries.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/aehr.12000/abstract

Benefits of biodiversityfor farmersThis new NZ Landcare publicationshowcases farms where biodiversity andprofitability co-exist. The case studiescover native vegetation shelterbelts,riparian enhancement, organic dairyfarming, grazing management, beefriendly farming and saving kiwi.http://www.landcare.org.nz/files/file/746/Biodiversity%20for%20Farmers.pdf

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New book: Nature and farmingThis new book from CSIRO Publishing looks at how landholderscan sustain native plants and animals in agricultural landscapes.http://www.publish.csiro.au/pid/6713.htm

FOODRole of supermarkets in the food chainThe key issue for agriculture in Australia is the increasing needfor transparency along the domestic food supply chain,according to the Australian Farm Institute in the latest edition ofits Farm Policy J ournal which discusses the role of modernsupermarkets in modern food markets.http://www.farminstitute.org.au/publications-1/farm-policy-journals/2013-autumn-will-supermarkets-save-or-enslave-agriculture

Peoples food planDissatisfied with the approach of the National Food Plan, theAustralian Food Sovereignty Alliance has released a PeoplesFood Plan working paper which prioritises farmer livelihoods,population health and environmental regeneration. The workingpaper is based on feedback gained at public forums last year.http://sydneyfoodfairness.org.au/blog/2013/03/18/a-peoples-food-plan-for-australia/

ABARES Outlook food presentationsFood issues were a key feature of the ABARES Outlookconference in March. Topics include future food and farming,

global food demand and supply in 2050, food security, andconsumer preferences.http://www.daff.gov.au/abares/outlook/conference-program

Future of food in AustraliaWhen the ABC's AM program travelled Australia to investigate thefuture of food, the team discovered an industry full of potential butlacking the infrastructure and support to meet fast-changing needs.http://www.abc.net.au/news/specials/future-of-food/

Sustainable Food SummitPresentations from the third National Sustainable Food Summit heldin Melbourne last month are available online.http://www.3pillarsnetwork.com.au/p3_Events-Resources.html?&event=88&page=4

Love food hate wasteNSW EPA now has a Love food hate waste webpage to help consumers reduce waste offood and the natural resources required to grow it.http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.nsw.gov.au/

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Online food farmersGrocery chain Harris Farm Markets is involving its customers in growing vegetable crops toeducate them about food production and distribution. So far more than 7000 people havesigned up and chosen to grow broccoli in Tasmania and bok choy in Sydney. They willreceive regular photo updates via Facebook and will be able to have some of the harvestedcrop.

http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2013/03/13/562981_horticulture.html

Vancouver Food StrategyThe city of Vancouver has introduced a food strategy tointegrate food production, processing, distribution, access andfood waste management within a single policy framework. Thestrategy states: Food is an issue that galvanises communitiesand catalyses action like few other topics can. It greens theenvironment, promotes biodiversity, contributes to the localeconomy and provides countless opportunities for education,social inclusion and community-building.http://vancouver.ca/people-programs/vancouvers-food-strategy.aspx

Healthy farms, healthy environmentThis new study from US group PennEnvironment outlines how sustainable farming benefitsthe environment, economy, and public health--and offers a blueprint of state policies toimprove the food system.http://www.pennenvironment.org/sites/environment/files/reports/PA%20Healthy%20Farms%2C%20Healthy%20Environment-2.pdf

LAND USE

Mining and agriculture reportA recent survey of the influences of mining on rural workforce participation and land use inone WA region found that mining developments triggered a considerable change in theexisting socio-economic fabric sustaining nearby towns, communities and individuals. Thesurvey also confirms that the quantifiable benefits of mineral wealth mask highly localisedinequalities and disadvantage.http://apo.org.au/sites/default/files/docs/CSIRO_mining_and_agriculture_2013.pdf

SUSTAINABILITY

Caring for our country sustainable agriculture program

The strategic objectives of the Sustainable Agriculture stream of Caring for our Country overthe next five years are to promote sustainable production of food and innovation in Australianagriculture and fisheries practices, take a strategic approach to reducing the impact of weedsand pests on agriculture, improve management of the natural resource base in agricultureand fisheries, and foster a skilled and capable Landcare community. The program will bedelivered through a mix of investment approaches, including community grants, regionaldelivery and strategic investments.Strategic investments will include;www.nrm.gov.au

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Sustainable beef farming videosIn these videos general manager Glenn Morris and farm manager Henry Sheehan of thenorthern NSW company FigTrees Organic Farms explain their ecologically based farmingsystem.http://www.nlss.com.au/index.php/community/regional-landcare/36-regional-landcare http://figtreesorganicfarms.com.au/figtrees-environmental-health.html

Yeomans farm isheritage listedThe State Government has listed PAYeomans North Richmond farm Yobarnieon the State heritage Register because itwas the land on which Yeomans Keylinesystem of soil improvement, erosion control,water storage, cultivation and irrigation onundulating topography was developed anddemonstrated from the mid-1940s.

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=5061775

Our farmers our futureOur farmers our future is the title of a series of electronic picture bookswritten by children in north west NSW and southern Queensland as partof a program to help students establish a sense of place throughenvironmental storytelling.http://www.envirostories.com.au/index.php?page=ebook-farming

EVENTS

April 7-12 Symposium on Soil and Plant Analysis, NZwww.isspa2013.com

April 10-11 National water congress, Sydneyhttp://abcevents.net.au/water/

May 22 International day for biological diversityhttps://www.cbd.int/idb/

May 28-30 Irrigation Australia conference, Griffithhttp://irrigation.org.au/events/irrigation-australia-conference-trade-show

May 29-30 Agricultural innovation systems at the crossroads, Canberrahttp://farminstitute.businesscatalyst.com/news-and-events/agriculture_at_the_crossroads.html

J une 4-5 Nature Conservation Council biennial bushfire conference, Sydneyhttp://nccnsw.org.au/programs/bushfire-conference-2013

J une 5-6 Primary Industries Education Foundation workshop, converra

J une 24-27 Climate adaptation 2013http://www.nccarf.edu.au/conference2013/

September 2-6 InterDrought IV, Perthhttp://www.interdrought4.com/

September 3-5 NSW Landcare Forum, Newcastlehttp://www.landcarensw.org.au/node/1621

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September 14-19 International Grasslands Congress, Sydneyhttp://www.igc2013.com

October 8-11 Greenhouse 2013: the science of climate change, Adelaidehttp://www.greenhouse2013.com/

October 16 World Food Dayhttp://www.fao.org/getinvolved/worldfoodday/en/

December 5 World Soil Dayhttp://www.iuss.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=405

24-27 March 2014 Soil change matters symposium, Bendigo

MAILING LISTTo subscribe to NRM on farms, email Rebecca Lines-Kelly at rebecca.lines-kelly@dpi.nsw.gov.au.