With more than $4 million invested in climate variability and risk assessment projects over the next six years, the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is helping growers better manage climate change and seasonal weather variation.

The 10 projects cover, among other things, climate change and long-lead seasonal and cropping forecasts, including for wheat yield and protein and cropping risks.

CSIRO’s Dr Senthold Asseng, for example, is testing the southern oscillation index, sea surface temperature and mid-latitude forecasting indices for their potential use in Western Australia, before connecting them to crop models predicting wheat yield and protein.

A Western Australia Department of Agriculture project seeks a clearer understanding of climate change projections and impacts on wheat production and quality at a regional level in Western Australia. 

According to GRDC Western Panel Chairman and Hyden farmer, Dale Baker, this should encourage the grains industry to better plan and adapt to climate change.

Another three year $400,000 plus Department project, supported by the GRDC’s western and southern panels, is investigating better long-lead seasonal and crop forecasts for southern Australia.

Dr David Stephens and his team aim to define the major weather processes driving climate extremes, with emphasis on weather systems affecting southern Australia.

The project will also attempt to validate the Department’s WA seasonal climate indices and develop an integrated climate and yield forecasting product.

Mr Baker, who is also Chairman of the Managing Climate Variability Program, which recently secured an additional $500,000 from the federal government for climate research, said a big challenge for growers was how best to maximize benefits from good years, while minimizing the impact of bad seasons.

“In Western Australia, this bumper season provides a classic contrast with last year, which was ravaged by drought. We need to learn lessons from both and have tools in place for next season to better manage the climate and weather scenarios we will face,” he said.