WEATHER

Easy-to-use climate outlook guides for regions underway

CSIRO and BoM partner on weather data to help farmers avoid drought.

Kristy Moroney

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Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud said the new weather and climate guides would give valuable information to all 56 Natural Resource Management regions.

"The Bureau has a wealth of information farmers need and this will put it in their hands," Minister Littleproud said.

"Reliable climate information helps farmers make the best decisions they can to manage risks," he said.

"It will help them better understand temperature and rainfall ranges, frost risk, the onset and length of wet seasons, water storage levels and the likelihood and severity of drought, natural disasters and cold snaps."

As part of the project farmers in Condamine, Mallee, West Gippsland and Riverina will be the first to have a chance to tell the Bureau what information is most valuable for them and how to best deliver it.

The Minister for Agriculture said this will mean farmers won't have to rely on guess work to make decisions that affect their livelihoods.

"This is particularly important during a drought like the one we're currently going through" he said.

"The Bureau will start off trailing the service online and taking feedback from farmers to make sure it hits the mark."

The service is expected to be up and running early next year.

"Our drought support covers a range of areas, including immediate financial assistance and building resilience and preparedness in rural and regional communities," Littleproud said.

For more information about the climate guides, email agriculture@bom.gov.au

 

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