The potential impact of climate change on the Australian wool industry by 2030

Harle, Kate; Howden, Mark; Hunt, L. P.; Dunlop, Michael

doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2006.04.003

Cited by 78 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…The effects of projected increases in temperature, changes to rainfall patterns, and elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) (CSIRO and BoM 2010) on productivity of grazing systems will vary regionally and will depend on the combination of changes (Harle et al 2007;Howden et al 2008;McKeon et al 2009). Shorter term changes due to extremes in weather, such as extended drought, heat waves, and flooding (Table 1) will further add to these challenges (Barlow et al 2010).…”

Section: Impacts Of a Changing Climatementioning

confidence: 99%

Livestock production in a changing climate: adaptation and mitigation research in Australia

Charmley²,

et al. 2012

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Abstract.Climate change presents a range of challenges for animal agriculture in Australia. Livestock production will be affected by changes in temperature and water availability through impacts on pasture and forage crop quantity and quality, feed-grain production and price, and disease and pest distributions. This paper provides an overview of these impacts and the broader effects on landscape functionality, with a focus on recent research on effects of increasing temperature, changing rainfall patterns, and increased climate variability on animal health, growth, and reproduction, including through heat stress, and potential adaptation strategies. The rate of adoption of adaptation strategies by livestock producers will depend on perceptions of the uncertainty in projected climate and regional-scale impacts and associated risk. However, management changes adopted by farmers in parts of Australia during recent extended drought and associated heatwaves, trends consistent with long-term predicted climate patterns, provide some insights into the capacity for practical adaptation strategies.Animal production systems will also be significantly affected by climate change policy and national targets to address greenhouse gas emissions, since livestock are estimated to contribute~10% of Australia's total emissions and 8-11% of global emissions, with additional farm emissions associated with activities such as feed production. More than two-thirds of emissions are attributed to ruminant animals. This paper discusses the challenges and opportunities facing livestock industries in Australia in adapting to and mitigating climate change. It examines the research needed to better define practical options to reduce the emissions intensity of livestock products, enhance adaptation opportunities, and support the continued contribution of animal agriculture to Australia's economy, environment, and regional communities.

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Section: Impacts Of a Changing Climatementioning

confidence: 99%

Livestock production in a changing climate: adaptation and mitigation research in Australia

Charmley²,

et al. 2012

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“…This is as the availability of many traditional supplements is projected to decline in the short to medium-term due to increasing competition from other sectors such as biofuels, consumables, urban sprawl, land encroachment and climatic events (Harle, Howden, Hunt, & Dunlop, 2007;Nardone, Ronchi, Lacetera, Ranieri, & Bernabucci, 2010). Therefore, alternative protein-rich supplements such as Spirulina, are essential to future industry stability and development (Hume, Whitelaw, & Archibald, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Spirulina (Arthrospira plantensis) Supplementation on Wool Quality in Purebred and Crossbred Merino Lambs Fed Pasture and Lucerne Hay Basal Diets

Holman¹,

Malau‐Aduli

2014

JAS

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This study investigated the effects of Spirulina (Arthrospira plantensis) supplementation level, basal diet, sire breed, and sex on wool quality parameters in purebred and crossbred Merino lambs. A total of 48 lambs, over two consecutive years (n=24 per year), was randomly allocated into Spirulina supplementation level (CONTROL, LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH) groups and balanced by sire breed (Black Suffolk, Dorset, Merino, White Suffolk) and sex (ewes, wethers). Lambs had ad libitum access to a basal diet of pasture and Lucerne hay, and had Spirulina supplement daily throughout the 42-day feeding trial, after a 21-day adjustment phase. Mid-side wool samples were removed from each lamb at the beginning and end of the feeding trial and commercially analysed for quality. The wool quality data were transformed into 'wool trait change over the feeding trial period' by the difference between the wool measurements at the beginning and end of the experiment prior to statistical analysis. Wool clean fleece weight (CFW) was significantly influenced by level of supplementation, basal diet and sex (P<0.05). Spirulina-supplemented lambs on Lucerne hay basal diet elicited higher CFW responses which increased with supplementation level. CONTROL lambs had the lightest CFW regardless of basal diet. Sire breed and sex variations were significant (P<0.05) as wool from Suffolk-sired lambs and ewes had the highest fibre diameter coefficient of variation (CV) and CFW, respectively. CV and fibre diameter standard deviation were the most affected wool traits by significant interactions between Spirulina supplementation level, sire breed and sex. It was concluded that Spirulina supplementation with Lucerne hay basal diet improves wool CFW without compromising wool fibre diameter, comfort factor and spinning fineness in dual-purpose prime lambs.

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“…The overall effect of future climate changes on pasture production is uncertain and likely to vary regionally, depending on the combination of changes to temperature and rainfall, as well as plant responses to elevated atmospheric CO 2 concentrations (Harle et al 2007;Howden et al 2008;McKeon et al 2009). Temperature projections for Australia predict warming of 0.4-1.88C by 2030 and 2.2-58C by 2070 under high-emission scenarios (A1FI storyline, IPCC 2000), with larger increases in inland compared with southern Australia (CSIRO and BoM 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Across the Australian rangelands, McKeon et al (2009) demonstrated that elevated CO 2 levels could enhance the positive effect of higher rainfall future climate scenarios on forage production and mitigate the effect of reduced production in lower rainfall scenarios. Howden et al (2008) suggested that increased production from elevated CO 2 would be offset by a 10% rainfall reduction; however, there is a need to evaluate the potential effects of future climate scenarios on Australian grazing systems across a range of regions and pasture types (Harle et al 2007). Biophysical modelling approaches which integrate climatic changes with plant responses to elevated CO 2 concentrations, such as those used in cropping systems (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate change effects on pasture systems in south-eastern Australia

Johnson²,

et al. 2009

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Abstract. Climate change projections for Australia predict increasing temperatures, changes to rainfall patterns, and elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentrations. The aims of this study were to predict plant production responses to elevated CO 2 concentrations using the SGS Pasture Model and DairyMod, and then to quantify the effects of climate change scenarios for 2030 and 2070 on predicted pasture growth, species composition, and soil moisture conditions of 5 existing pasture systems in climates ranging from cool temperate to subtropical, relative to a historical baseline. Three future climate scenarios were created for each site by adjusting historical climate data according to temperature and rainfall change projections for 2030, 2070 mid-and 2070 high-emission scenarios, using output from the CSIRO Mark 3 global climate model. In the absence of other climate changes, mean annual pasture production at an elevated CO 2 concentration of 550 ppm was predicted to be 24-29% higher than at 380 ppm CO 2 in temperate (C 3 ) species-dominant pastures in southern Australia, with lower mean responses in a mixed C 3 /C 4 pasture at Barraba in northern New South Wales (17%) and in a C 4 pasture at Mutdapilly in south-eastern Queensland (9%). In the future climate scenarios at the Barraba and Mutdapilly sites in subtropical and subhumid climates, respectively, where climate projections indicated warming of up to 4.48C, with little change in annual rainfall, modelling predicted increased pasture production and a shift towards C 4 species dominance. In Mediterranean, temperate, and cool temperate climates, climate change projections indicated warming of up to 3.38C, with annual rainfall reduced by up to 28%. Under future climate scenarios at Wagga Wagga, NSW, and Ellinbank, Victoria, our study predicted increased winter and early spring pasture growth rates, but this was counteracted by a predicted shorter spring growing season, with annual pasture production higher than the baseline under the 2030 climate scenario, but reduced by up to 19% under the 2070 high scenario. In a cool temperate environment at Elliott, Tasmania, annual production was higher than the baseline in all 3 future climate scenarios, but highest in the 2070 mid scenario. At the Wagga Wagga, Ellinbank, and Elliott sites the effect of rainfall declines on pasture production was moderated by a predicted reduction in drainage below the root zone and, at Ellinbank, the use of deeper rooted plant systems was shown to be an effective adaptation to mitigate some of the effect of lower rainfall.

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The potential impact of climate change on the Australian wool industry by 2030

Cited by 78 publications

References 57 publications

Livestock production in a changing climate: adaptation and mitigation research in Australia

Livestock production in a changing climate: adaptation and mitigation research in Australia

Effect of Spirulina (Arthrospira plantensis) Supplementation on Wool Quality in Purebred and Crossbred Merino Lambs Fed Pasture and Lucerne Hay Basal Diets

Climate change effects on pasture systems in south-eastern Australia

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