Needs for applied climate education in agriculture

D. A. George; C. J. Birch; J. F. Clewett; A. Wright; W. Allen; D. U. Keogh

doi:10.1071/EA05244

RESEARCH ARTICLE

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Needs for applied climate education in agriculture

D. A. George ^A ^G , C. J. Birch ^B , J. F. Clewett ^C , A. Wright ^D , W. Allen ^E and D. U. Keogh ^F

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Queensland, PO Box 102, Toowoomba, Qld 4350, Australia.

^B The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Gatton, Qld 4345, Australia.

^C Agroclim Australia, 64 Kuhls Road, Highfields, Qld 4352, Australia.

^D The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.

^E AgForce Queensland, PO Box 13186, Brisbane, Qld 4350, Australia.

^F International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, Qld 4001, Australia.

^G Corresponding author. Email: david.george@dpi.qld.gov.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 47(1) 1-12 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA05244
Submitted: 19 August 2005 Accepted: 12 May 2006 Published: 2 January 2007

Abstract

This paper reports on a purposive survey study which aimed to identify needs for the development, delivery and evaluation of applied climate education for targeted groups, to improve knowledge and skills to better manage under variable climatic conditions. The survey sample consisted of 80 producers and other industry stakeholders in Australia (including representatives from consulting, agricultural extension and agricultural education sectors), with a 58% response rate to the survey. The survey included an assessment of (i) knowledge levels of the Southern Oscillation Index and sea surface temperatures, and (ii) skill and ability in interpreting weather and climate parameters. Results showed that despite many of the respondents having more than 20 years experience in their industry, the only formal climate education or training undertaken by most was a 1-day workshop. Over 80% of the applied climate skills listed in the survey were regarded by respondents as essential or important, but only 42% of educators, 30% of consultants and 28% of producers rated themselves as competent in applying such skills. Essential skills were deemed as those that would enable respondents or their clients to be better prepared for the next extended wet or dry meteorological event, and improved capability in identifying and capitalising on key decision points from climate information and a seasonal climate outlook. The complex issue of forecast accuracy is a confounding obstacle for many in the application of climate information and forecasts in management. Addressing this problem by describing forecast ‘limitations and skill’ can help to overcome this problem. The survey also highlighted specific climatic tactical and strategic information collated from grazing, cropping and agribusiness enterprises, and showed the value of such information from a users perspective.

Additional keywords: applied climate needs, climate applications and education, cropping, graziers, ranchers.

Acknowledgments

The ClimEd project was partly funded by FarmBis, a program of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Producers, meteorologists, climatologists and extension staff in Australia have contributed significantly to the development and evolution of this work. Bureau of Meteorology staff support has involved Steve Lellyet, Bruce Buckley, Steve Symonds, Livio Regano, Scott Power and Mike Bergin. Lucy George and Brett Robinson helped in editing previous drafts of this manuscript. Kerry Bell and Sarah Lennox helped in statistical analysis and presentation. The authors gratefully acknowledge the participants of this survey and the feedback from 2 anonymous referees.

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Needs for applied climate education in agriculture

Abstract

Acknowledgments

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