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Abstract

Graziers in the Western Catchment of New South Wales (NSW) experience a climate that

varies both seasonally and across the region with several implications for how land, water,

pasture and animal production are managed. The Western Catchment Management Authority

(WCMA) is a statutory authority managing the natural resources of the Western Catchment,

an area of 230,000 square kilometres (29% of NSW) and encompasses multiple land uses

including extensive grazing, dryland cropping, irrigated agriculture, mining, tourism and

nature conservation. The implications of predicted climate change for graziers are blurred by

an overload of information - often clouding the issue of ‘does climate change exist and are

any changes necessary’. This leads to uncertainty that then impacts on short and long term

management decisions. Current literature demonstrates that there is evidence of upward

trends to temperature, rainfall and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels at a global, national and

regional level. Regardless of how these changes are named, the evidence illustrates that they

are real trends. Graziers can expect changes in plant and animal migrations, erosion, algae

blooms, heat stress-related animal production issues and grasses being out-competed by

thickening woody cover. To manage uncertain changes, graziers must have the capacity to

evaluate, implement and monitor strategic management options – ensuring their ability to

adapt and be resilient. This paper identifies predicted needs for change that are within the

means and abilities of landholders as well as supporting agencies.