Climate Change Research Program – January 2012

The $46.2 million Climate Change Research Program (CCRP) commenced in 2008-09 and will cease 30 June 2012. The program funds research projects and on–farm demonstrations to help prepare Australia’s primary industries for climate change, and build the resilienceof our agricultural sector into the future.

There were two rounds of research funding. Research focuses on:

-reducing greenhouse gas emissions,

-better soil management,

-climate change adaptation.

Round one ($38.5 million) investmentsinclude:

-Nitrous OxideResearch Program- $4.7 million

-Reducing Emissions from Livestock Research Program - $11.3million

-Soil Carbon Research Program - $9.6 million

-National Biochar Initiative - $1.4 million

-Adaptation Research Program- $11.5million

Round twoof the CCRP has invested $7.7 million into research demonstration on-farm or by food processors. This investment is aimed at encouraging the adoption of practical technologies and farming system options for farmers and food processors that deliver lower greenhouse gas emissions and productivity growth.

Nitrous Oxide Research Program

Reducing Emissions from Livestock Research Program

Soil Carbon Research Program

Biochar: A national research initiative

Adaptation Theme 1Climate Ready Crops

Adaptation Theme 2Cropping Management Systems

Adaptation Theme 3Industry Opportunities

Adaptation Theme 4Perennial Horticulture

Adaptation Theme 5Livestock Systems

Adaptation Theme 6Fisheries Systems

Adaptation Theme 7Consistent Climate Scenarios

Climate Change Research Program – Round Two

Mitigation and Adaptation in the Australian Dairy Industry (MAADI)

On-farm demonstration of best practice options for climate change mitigation and adaptation for beef producers across northern Australia

Methane Recovery and Use in Agriculture

Demonstrating the minimisation of CH4 and N2O emissions from food processing by-products by implementing best practice management of organic residues

Carbon and sustainability – A demonstration of how they relate and how they can be managed within the Australian Vegetable Industry

Drought-hardy and carbon-conscious grazing systems

Nitrous Oxide Research Program

Title

Nitrous Oxide Research Program (NORP)

Proponent

Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)

Description

The Nitrous Oxide Research Program (NORP) isbringing together information that shows the emissions from different soil types under various conditions throughout Australia. It is developingknowledge, research, monitoring tools and techniques that will be useful and relevant to farmers and industries to help them to lower greenhouse gas emissions without losing productivity.

Key findings

  • The project has established a national standard for sampling and analysing nitrous oxide emissions. The standard has allowed Australia to demonstrate that its emissions from dry land cropping are lower than earlier indications.
  • A nitrous oxide database is available through a web portal ( and provides data from the majority of field sites, as well as laboratory incubation data.
  • The magnitude of N2O emissions from Australian soils is heavily dependent on the amounts of biomass (either as pasture or as residues) that are retained above or below the surface.
  • The range in N2O emissions from agricultural soils of Australia extends from <0.03 kg N/ha/day ( in coarse textured dryland cropping soils of the Western Australia wheat belt) up to 1kgN/ha/day (from fertile soils of south-eastern Victoria under dairy production).
  • Cropping on soils recently under pasture in south-eastern Australia produced relatively high N2O emissions because of high soil carbon levels built up under pasture management.
  • Timing and amount (mm) of irrigation can be effective in reducing N2O emissions from irrigated agricultural systems.
  • Cotton and wheat systems on heavy textured clay soils of northern Australia are low emitters of N2O due to low biomass inputs.
  • Lower emissionsoccurred in canola chickpea as rotations than fertilised canola at Tamworth, NSW, showing that legumes are a low emissions break crop.
  • Liming of semi-arid coarse textured soils decreases N2O emissionsthat occur from fallow soil after significant summer/autumn rainfall events; even if the soil received nitrogen fertiliser during the previous winter crop.

Reducing Emissions from Livestock Research Program

Title

Reducing Emissions from Livestock Research Program

Proponent

Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)

Description

The Reducing Emissions from Livestock Research Program (RELRP) is developing practical and productive on-farm options aimed at achieving a significant reduction in methane (CH4)emissions from livestock.

Key findings

  • The project has generated new knowledge on the role of fats and oils in mitigating CH4 emissions in Australian livestock systems. Lipid supplements are the easiest to incorporate into more intensive livestock systems.
  • The project has developed and validated new techniques for measuring emissions based on animal emissions in a natural grazing environment. These techniques have the potential to provide improved emissions estimations for Australian livestock systems.
  • Research on genetic approaches to reducing emissions in beef cattle has provided preliminary evidence that selection for a low methane trait may be possible.
  • An early estimate for the heritability of a low methane trait has been calculated for sheep.
  • New techniques have been developed for measuring and verifying CH4 and N2Oemissions from manure in feedlots, which will contribute to assessing the effectiveness of nitrification inhibitors in feedlots.
  • Urease inhibitors can significantly reduce emissions ofammonia (a precursor of nitrous oxide) from manure stockpiles.
  • The screening program identified that the shrub Eremophila glabra has antimethanogenic properties and good dietary characteristics.

Soil Carbon Research Program

Title

Soil Carbon Research

Proponent

CSIRO

Description

The research program is establishing a national benchmark for soil carbon levels and identifying management practices that can increase soil carbon. Data from the program will reduce uncertainties associated with measurement and strengthen the National Carbon Accounting System (NCAS). The data will beavailable to primary producers, universities, researchers, industry groups and government departments for development of offset methodologies for approval by the Domestic Offset Integrity Committee.

Key findings

  • A nationally standardised soil sampling and analysis method has been established for the program.
  • A new method has been established for measuring soil carbon in soil samples (mid infra-red spectroscopy), which reduces the cost of analyses from approximately $1000 by previous methods to around $40.
  • Conversion of soil carbon values to carbon stocks (tonnes per hectare) has been made easier by novel bulk density scanning techniques demonstrated in the program.
  • There is potential for some soils to accumulate carbon levels as high as 5%.
  • Perennial pasture species increase soil carbon more quickly than annual species in some situations.

Biochar: A national research initiative

Title

From source to sink: A national initiative of biochar research

Proponent

CSIRO

Description

This program is drawing together Australia’s leading researchers in the areas of biochar, bioenergy, soil science, emissions management and life-cycle assessment. It is a national effort, aimed at addressing key aspects of biochar production and application in Australian agriculture.

Key findings

  • Over 80 biochars were characterised for their chemical and physical properties and a catalogue was developedfor their application and usage.
  • The characteristics of biochar has a strong dependence on feedstock rather than temperature.
  • Biochars derived from grass and crop appear to have the most beneficial agricultural properties and carbon (C) stability.
  • Overall, wood-derived biochars were more C-rich and biochars derived from manures and food wastes held more nutrients.
  • The type of biochar needs to be carefully selected to achieve the desired outcome.
  • Biochar stability varies with soil properties. Biochar stability in soil decreases with increasing soil temperature, decreasing production temperature.
  • The effect of biochar on soil organic carbon mineralisation was variable in different soils and at different incubation temperatures, indicating acomplex interaction between soil and biochar.

Adaptation Theme 1Climate Ready Crops

Title

A national research program for climate ready cereals

Proponent

CSIRO

Description

This national program on wheat and sorghum is evaluating and beginning to deploy existing genetic traits for climate change adaptation. It is establishing field methods to characterise key traits for hotter, drier, elevated carbon dioxide environments and is identifying genetic materials with superior response to elevated temperature (sorghum) and to elevated temperature and carbon dioxide (wheat).

Key findings

Early results show:

  • Elevated CO2 increased wheat biomass with less water.
  • High temperatures decreased wheat biomass and yield.
  • Drought tolerant traits such as stem carbohydrate and low tillering are relevant genetic traits in a changing climate.
  • For sorghum, the most severe impact on pollen viability appears to occur at daytime temperature between about 36°C and 38°C. The impact on pollen viability and seed set was quite consistent across all genotypes.
  • Some sorghum lines have a greater tolerance to high temperature events around flowering.

Title

Adaptation of a range of wheat types to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration

Proponent

University of Melbourne

Description

This project is complementing the work undertaken in Project 1 (A national research program for climate ready cereals) by testing identified plant varieties in the field using state of the art technology. A range of wheat traits is being evaluated under elevated carbon dioxide (550 parts per million - expected level by 2050) within the Free Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment system established at Horsham in 2007. Growth, yield and resource use efficiency are being measured and compared across carbon dioxide, water and sowing time treatments.

Key findings

Early results show:

  • Yield and biomass increased by an average of 30% under elevated CO2.
  • A hotter and drier climate which is expected in the future climates, eliminated these gains, although transpiration efficiency was increased by elevated CO2
  • Wheat varieties differ in their responsiveness to elevated CO2 in biomass and tillering.
  • Elevated CO2may decrease protein and mineral nutrient concentrations in grains.

Adaptation Theme 2Cropping Management Systems

Title

Developing climate change resilient cropping and mixed cropping/grazing businesses in Australia

Proponent

CSIRO Climate Adaptation Flagship

Description

This project is assisting Australia’s cropping systems to adapt to climate change by evaluating the risk to production and the adaptive capacity of the industry. This is being undertaken nationally across a number of locations through regional engagement with farm enterprises in model development and information provision.

Key findings

  • Adaptation capacities of Australia’s agricultural enterprises have been mapped and can be viewed through the interactive web tool address:
  • Models are tested using real production data from participating farm enterprises and were used to analyse the effectiveness of adaptations under a range of climate conditions likely to occur at 2030 and 2050.
  • Early results from NSW show that splitting N fertiliser applications and conserving soil moisture by fallowing, increasing pasture in the rotation and residue retention, serve to offset potential yield losses resulting from future warmer and drier conditions.
  • Participating farmers indicated that the project has increased their knowledge regarding the value of considering climate change information and increased their understanding of climate risk management for production.

Adaptation Theme 3Industry Opportunities

Title

Relocation of intensive crop production systems to northern Australia: Costs and opportunities

Proponent

Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Primary Industries and Fisheries

Description

This projectis researching the potential opportunities and risks to the processing tomato and rice-cotton industries if they relocate to northern Australia. It is also exploringmechanisms to enhance the resilience and adaptive capacity of these production systems to climate change impacts.

Key findings

This project is heavily dependent on modelling to analyse possible scenarios—

Rice

  • Southern rice farmers will need to diversify under climate change as there will most likely be lower water availability and allocations.
  • Barriers to moving rice farming enterprises to northern Queensland include lack of suitable rice varieties, infrastructure, transport costs, pests and diseases, local reactions to land use change, difficulty of attracting new rice farmers and lack of success in previous northern agricultural schemes.
  • Rice production in the Burdekin area can be profitable but would be less profitable than the Riverina because of lower yields.
  • Rice is unlikely to become a significant crop in northern Queensland and is most likely to be grown as a rotation option between sugarcane plantings.
  • There could be a loss of farming output in northern Queensland if rice partially displaces the higher value sugarcane crop.

Title

Agriculture transforming to adapt to climate change: Peanut industry expansion in the Northern Territory as a blueprint

Proponent

CSIRO

Description

This project is assessing the agronomic and environmental implications of peanut production systems in the Northern Territory, using quantitative cropping system analyses, underpinned by local soil and climate change projections. It is also reviewing strategies to manage pests, diseases and biosecurity, and analysingthe social aspects of this industry transformation (its process, features and impacts), in a longitudinal study in close collaboration with industry representatives and community members.

Key findings

  • Early insights into the transformation process to Katherine as predicted by simulation models show that there is potential for biophysical mal-adaptation, e.g. nitrogen leaching from peanut production systems to groundwater and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Projected future climates in the region are less favourable to crop production than they are now so the advantages of transformation by the peanut industry may diminish.
  • Pest, disease and biosecurity — risks are small and landscape modelling indicates there is scope for reducing pest and disease pressures on future crops by maintaining native vegetation cover.
  • Social data — Surveys indicate that peanut farmers are reluctant to shift from Kingaroy to Katherine because of their high level of dependency on what they do now, including high level of attachment to their place and occupation. Key concerns include knowledge of how to farm in Katherine, research and development support, and availability of experienced labour. Thus transforming to another location or undertaking a different activity in Kingaroy will be difficult.

Adaptation Theme 4Perennial Horticulture

Title

Development of effective management strategies to adapt production to mitigate climate change challenges in the wine industry

Proponent

Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation

Description

This project is evaluating and developing new methods and techniques to help growers manage grapes grown under changingclimateconditions while maintaining quality. The project is also developing and demonstrating to primary producers the knowledge, tools and strategies that willassist them to adapt to climate change; and also conductingan impact study to ascertain the effects of climate change on perennial horticulture.

Key findings

  • Research into reduced irrigation and canopy size found positive relationships and suitable rootstock.
  • New grape varieties and rootstocks suited to hotter and drier growing conditions have been identified.
  • Shiraz has been shownto withstand threedays with temperatures above 40°C. However, longer periods of high heat increase the risk of negative effects.
  • The importance of irrigation to maintain functioning of the vine in very hot periods has been confirmed and the interaction between heat, variety and water uptake has been identified.
  • Initial outcomes indicate that there is potential for both early- and late-ripening grape varieties to help extend the wine grape harvesting period that is expected to narrow under climate change.
  • Earlier ripening varieties require less water and have lower sugar levels.
  • New grape varieties were tested and some show great potential to deliver high quality wines under warm to hot Australian conditions.
  • Significant differences in growth and water use efficiency were detected between different rootstocks, indicating that choice of rootstocks will be important in managing future climate change.
  • The impact of warmer temperatures on wine grapes is highly dependent on variety with some varieties showing improved wine quality and others reduced wine quality.

Adaptation Theme 5Livestock Systems

Title

Developing improved on-ground practices and industry strategies for adapting to climate change within beef production enterprises across northern Australia

Proponent

Meat and Livestock Australia

Description

The projectisidentifying better grazing practices and industry strategies for adapting to climate change within beef enterprises across northern Australia. The project is also evaluating trade-offs and synergies between production, sustainability and profitability indicators associated with differing management goals and strategies.

Key findings

  • The most promising management option for improving resilience across northern Australia is better matching of stocking rates to both the productive capacity of the land and its temporal variation in pasture supply.
  • The next most important option in most regions is the systematic resting of poor condition pastures over the wet (summer) period to accelerate their recovery, utilising fire management as a tool and improving on-farm infrastructure.
  • A social science survey from all six of the regions suggested that graziers:

identify strongly to their profession and are unlikely to be flexible when considering options that involve changes to their identity.

are highly attached to their location and are unlikely to ever move. As such, adaptation options that require graziers to move (transformational adaptation) are unlikely to be successful.

perceive themselves to have the necessary skills to prepare for the season ahead and longer-term drought.

have a positive attitude towards the need to adapt.

Title

Climate change adaptation in the southern livestock industries (CCASLI)