Climate research to improve farm profitability

摘要

NSW North Coast dairy farmers are using climate forecasting tools to make better decisions about the types of forage crops and pastures they plant each year, as part of a three-year NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) research project. "What types of forage crops to sow and when are critical decisions for dairy farmers in the unreliable sub-tropical climate of the State's North Coast. Such decisions influence the yields and the quality of milk produced by dairy cows," said Katrina Sinclair, aNSW DPI research agronomist based at Wollongbar. "As part of the project, local dairy farmers are working with us, using historical climate and feedbase data from a range of sources to create a forecasting tool that helps match the most appropriate forage crops with seasonal trends. This tool will ease the decision-making process and give farmers a leg-up in creating a more profitable dairy operation."