Planning for Resilience
Resource Library

Future Beef - Drought Strategy Tool (2025)

Published in June 2025 and updated in July 2025, outlines essential steps for preparing and managing drought in beef cattle operations. It emphasises the importance of aligning decisions with seasonal timing, pasture and water availability, herd condition and financial capacity. Key strategies include matching stocking rates to the feed base, reducing herd numbers early, strategic weaning, and considering agistment or selective sale of vulnerable stock. Other critical elements are parasite control, evaluating whether opportunity feedlotting makes economic sense, planning for water infrastructure resilience, and structuring financial tools such as property management bonds. The resource links to decision-support tools including feedbase monitoring, agistment cost calculators, and software like Breedcow/Dynama for assessing response and recovery options securely (futurebeef.com.au).

MLA - More Beef from Pastures PASTORAL online manual (link) - pastoral drought module attached

The MBFP‑Pastoral online manual is a revised version of MLA’s More Beef from Pastures suite, tailored to pastoral beef systems in arid and semi‑arid zones. It provides a modular framework covering strategic planning, feedbase management, genetics, animal health, weaner throughput and market compliance—each aligned with tools and templates to help producers assess performance, set goals, monitor resources, manage risk, and document plans (mbfp-pastoral.mla.com.au). Module 1 guides whole‑of‑business planning—from business audits through SWOT, benchmarking, drought‑decision points, goal‑setting and formal documentation (mbfp-pastoral.mla.com.au). Module 2 focuses on feedbase: pasture condition monitoring, nutritional needs, stocking rates and grazing strategy in line with seasonal variability (mbfp-pastoral.mla.com.au). Module 4 addresses cattle genetics selection and breeding strategy for profit and inbreeding control (mbfp-pastoral.mla.com.au). Further modules help optimise weaner production and ensure stock meet quality specifications for target markets (mbfp-pastoral.mla.com.au). Across the modules, on‑farm calculators—such as cost‑of‑production, stocking rate, feed demand—and interaction tools support decision‑making and ongoing monitoring for better productivity and resilience (mbfp-pastoral.mla.com.au).

MLA - Elearning Toolbox

Meat & Livestock Australia’s free eLearning platform, called The Toolbox, provides flexible, self-paced training for red-meat producers and advisors. It features a growing library of digital training packages, each 5–20 minutes long, complete with quizzes, videos and tools, covering topics such as animal health and welfare, genetics, feedbase management, climate resilience, carbon literacy, and pasture establishment (MLA Corporate). Learners can log in via a MyMLA account to track progress, access more modules, and unlock tools and calculators supporting planning and budgeting (The Toolbox - MLA eLearning). Designed for ease of use on desktop, tablet or smartphone, The Toolbox supports different learning styles and is a practical resource for both producers and training programs across Australia (MLA Corporate).

RCS Free Drought Course

Summary of the “Managing Drought Conversation” page from RCS Australia: RCS Australia—a leader in regenerative agriculture education and advisory—offers a free, online drought preparedness course, developed from over 30 years of experience working with Australian graziers across varied landscapes (Resource Consulting Services). Funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, the program walks participants through preparing for, managing, and recovering from drought, with practical, property-specific planning that covers land, stock, team, and business strategy (Resource Consulting Services). Designed to be self-paced in 6–10 hours, it uses real case studies from around the country and encourages on-farm collaboration to build resilience across ecological, financial and productivity fronts (Resource Consulting Services).

2024.03.08 Fitzroy Crossing Beef Up Forum - David McLean RCS.pdf

Summary: The document, presented by David McLean at the Fitzroy Crossing Beef Up Forum, discusses strategies for managing variability in seasons and markets within the beef industry. It highlights the need for adaptive planning, sound decision-making, and aligning stocking rates with carrying capacity to build resilience against unpredictable weather and market conditions. Key Insights and Takeaways: - Planning for only 'average' years is inadequate; businesses must be designed for variability and change. - Focus on controllable factors and make high-quality decisions. - Drought is defined as lacking feed when expected; proactive management is required for drought resilience and recovery. - Matching stocking rate to carrying capacity is essential to avoid depleting natural resources and future productivity. - Scenario planning is crucial: regularly assess current conditions and plan for different rainfall outcomes. - People management: set clear goals, know critical decision dates, communicate effectively, remain flexible, and prioritize health. - Land management: conduct feed budgets, adjust stocking rates, prioritize animals, and manage for land recovery. - Cattle production: monitor animal health, use strategic supplementation, and develop targeted feeding strategies. - Business management: hold more strategic meetings, understand gross margins, have an exit strategy, and seek new opportunities. - Immediate actions: inspect the station, clarify carrying capacity, assess stock, identify decision dates, and plan to reduce stocking rate if necessary. - Use structured decision-making by weighing upsides, downsides, and risk tolerance. - Prices and seasons will always fluctuate; professional management is essential for success.

FDF - Drought Resilience Funding Plan 2024-2028 Determination 2024

Summary: The Future Drought Fund (Drought Resilience Funding Plan 2024-2028) Determination 2024 outlines the Australian Government’s strategy for enhancing drought and climate resilience in agriculture, landscapes, and rural communities. Supported by a $5 billion fund with $100 million available annually, the Plan sets the vision, objectives, and funding principles for 2024-2028, emphasizing a holistic, collaborative, and adaptive approach. Key Insights and Takeaways: - The Plan is mandated by the Future Drought Fund Act 2019 and is updated every four years. - Climate change is identified as a key factor increasing drought frequency and severity, necessitating ongoing adaptation. - First Nations knowledge and partnerships are recognized as essential for effective drought management. - The vision is for an innovative, profitable agriculture sector, sustainable environment, and resilient rural communities. - Strategic objectives target economic, environmental, and social resilience using a systems approach. - Funding prioritizes public good, multi-outcome activities, collaboration, co-investment, and streamlined processes. - Grants do not provide direct in-drought hardship assistance but focus on long-term resilience and knowledge sharing. - Program delivery and priorities are detailed in a separate Investment Strategy document. - Monitoring, evaluation, and learning are integral for continuous improvement. - The Plan aligns with the National Drought Agreement and the upcoming Australian Government Drought Plan.

FDF - Inquiry report 2023 - Productivity Commission - Overview

Summary: The Productivity Commission’s review of the Future Drought Fund (FDF) finds that the FDF has laid a strong foundation for building drought and climate resilience in Australia’s agriculture and regional communities. While the Fund supports diverse programs and collaboration, it faces challenges in program integration, knowledge sharing, and maximizing public benefit. The report recommends a shift toward transformational change, enhanced governance, and improved monitoring and evaluation. Key Insights and Takeaways: - Drought and climate change are increasing pressures on agriculture and regional communities; the FDF is positioned as a catalyst for locally led, transformational change. - The FDF’s early years highlight the need for better program design, delivery, and knowledge sharing, with clearer prioritization and focus on public benefits. - Programs should explicitly address climate change resilience, broadening their scope beyond drought while keeping drought as the main focus. - Greater investment is needed in activities that deliver lasting public benefits, such as building natural capital and supporting place-based social resilience. - Recommendations include consolidating climate information tools, clarifying governance for regional plans, tightening eligibility for business resilience programs, piloting innovation grants, and clarifying the role of Innovation Hubs. - Improved monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems are necessary to track outcomes and guide future funding. - Establishment of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander working group is recommended to enhance Indigenous participation and program design. - Governance reforms are suggested, including removing the Regional Investment Corporation Board’s role and improving process timing. - The Department should develop a knowledge strategy, map overlapping programs, and refine funding principles for more targeted investment. - Future funding plans should focus on fewer, more integrated programs with longer-term funding and a stronger evidence base for building resilience.

National Drought Agreement (2024)

Australian Government Drought Plan (2024)

Northern-Hub

Summary of the Northern Hub “Resources” page: The Northern Hub offers a diverse collection of support materials tailored for land managers and pastoralists across northern Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Key publications include the Forage Champions Project, NT Fodder Production Guide, and station-level case studies like the Cibo Calibration at Edah Station and Rehydration at Kalyeeda Station—each showcasing practical improvements in livestock nutrition, rehydration planning and regenerative land use (Northern Hub Website). In addition, actionable information is available via AgTech factsheets, covering tools like Cibo Labs PastureKey, AussieGRASS, DR.SAT and Paddock Power, and sector-focused guides like the Legume Management in Top End Systems report and Understanding Mango Crop Nutrition guide (Northern Hub Website). Other resources include factsheets on climate impacts—detailing how rising temperatures and rainfall shifts affect local ecosystems and cultural assets—and summary documents addressing water planning such as Aboriginal water reserves, the Mataranka water allocation plan, and the broader Territory water plan (Northern Hub Website). The database is searchable, sortable and continually informed by the Hub’s field projects, rural network insights and Future Drought Fund support.

CSIRO - Drought Early Warning System (DEWS) - 2022 report (Part of Drought Resilience Mission)

Ag-Tech Factsheets by KPCA for Northern Hub

Dry season management of a beef business - Qld DAF / FutureBeef / DCAP

This updated guide outlines core principles for managing beef businesses through dry seasons, emphasising that regardless of property size, balancing cattle numbers with pasture availability is central to resilience. Key strategies include early decision-making using trigger dates (such as late February or Easter in northern Queensland), systematic wet‑season spelling to preserve feed buffers and encourage pasture recovery, and proactive destocking—especially of breeders—to maintain land condition and avoid costly crisis feeding. Effective management combines visual pasture assessment, financial and climate review, and use of templates for forage budgeting and supplementation planning. For herd nutrition, the guide stresses the importance of early intervention: urea or protein supplementation can improve intake if cattle are in store condition and paddock feed remains, while higher-energy feeds like molasses or grain may be used sparingly where pasture is limited—but long-term feeding is expensive and constrained by economics and welfare considerations. The booklet also provides tools for assessing situations, planning recovery, and avoiding detrimental impacts on land, livestock, finances and people, guided by the motto ‘no rain – no grass – no cattle.’ (futurebeef.com.au)

Managing drought, fire and flood - a guide for NSW primary producers (2023) - NSW

The guide equips NSW producers to prepare for and respond effectively to drought, fire, and flood across all phases—before, during, and after events. It offers practical planning tools including climate and seasonal monitoring via the Combined Drought Indicator, farm-audit and drought‑action plan templates, livestock welfare guidance, feeding strategies, business continuity tools, and mental wellbeing checklists (droughthub.nsw.gov.au, droughthub.nsw.gov.au). The content stresses connecting climate information to decision timing and risk management, supporting producers to make informed choices that protect land, animals and the business itself (dpi.nsw.gov.au, droughthub.nsw.gov.au, droughthub.nsw.gov.au). It also emphasises care for personal and team wellbeing under stress, recommending support systems and self‑care alongside operational measures (droughthub.nsw.gov.au).

To hold or sell breeding cattle in the rangelands - WA DPIRD

In a dry season where feed, water and finances are limited, removing less productive animals as soon as possible is a good option. This will free up feed for more productive animals and help preserve ground cover. This page provides some of the information and a process for making decisions about holding or selling breeding cattle.

CSIRO - Water Banking or Managed Aquifer Recharge - infographic (Part of Drought Resilience Mission)

Summary of CSIRO’s Water-banking page under the Drought Resilience Mission: CSIRO’s water-banking initiative—also known as managed aquifer recharge (MAR)—supports regional drought resilience by storing excess water underground when available (e.g. from rain, rivers, treated wastewater, stormwater), for use during droughts (csiro.au). The approach offers long‑term water security with minimal evaporation loss, no risk of algae or mosquitoes, and reduced emergency water cartage costs (csiro.au). While only about 8.3 % of Australia’s groundwater extraction is currently replenished via MAR, CSIRO has identified over 4 km³ of storage opportunity across the Murray–Darling Basin and is working to identify additional sites nationally (csiro.au). Ongoing research addresses tailored MAR solutions, safety and environmental risk mitigation, enabling policy frameworks, and demonstration projects under the Drought Resilience Mission to scale the technique in drought‑prone regions (csiro.au). Let me know if you’d like examples of MAR demonstration sites or cost data from their recent studies.

CSIRO - Drought Resilience mission

Summary of CSIRO’s “Mission progress” page for their Drought Resilience Mission: CSIRO’s Drought Resilience Mission aims to reduce the worst impacts of drought in Australia by about 30 per cent by 2030. It focuses on three interconnected levels—on‑farm innovation, regional resilience, and policy and outreach—to help agriculture, communities, and environments withstand drought cycles (awa.asn.au). Recent progress highlights include: - On‑farm tools and traits: Deployment of long‑coleoptile wheat varieties that allow deeper sowing in dry soils and improve yields by 18–20 per cent, with wider commercial release underway (csiro.au). Models and tools to enhance livestock destocking decisions—based on genetics and profitability—are under development to support drought cycle planning (csiro.au). - Novel forage & water security solutions: Over six million Anameka Saltbush shrubs have been planted across Australia as drought‑resilient forage to improve livestock feed and ecosystem health, with favourable adoption beyond Western Australia (csiro.au). CSIRO is also piloting managed aquifer recharge (“water banking”) to secure underground water reserves and avoid ‘day zero’ town water shortages during droughts (csiro.au). - Community preparedness: CSIRO has helped review around 70 Regional Drought Resilience (RDR) plans under the Future Drought Fund, applying resilience science frameworks and providing actionable feedback to strengthen regional planning capacity (csiro.au). - Indicators and climate tools: The Australian Agricultural Drought Indicators (AADI) are being developed to forecast drought impacts (e.g. yield, pasture, farm profit) at regional scale, using monthly predictive maps on a 5 km grid (csiro.au). The My Climate View tool offers farmers location‑ and commodity‑specific climate projections out to 50 years, helping inform adaptation decisions (csiro.au). - Cultural‑indicator research: Indigenous-led research is underway to integrate environmental and cultural signals—such as migratory bird movements—as drought resilience indicators, aiming to embed First Nations knowledge into decision‑making and land management planning (csiro.au). Together, these initiatives demonstrate CSIRO’s integrated and evidence‑based approach—from science through community to policy—to reshape drought preparedness and resilience across Australia.

Soils for Life case studies

Soils for Life is an independent Australian not‑for‑profit established in 2013 by Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC, Australia’s inaugural National Soils Advocate (Soils For Life). It supports farmers across Australia to regenerate degraded soils and landscapes through regenerative agriculture, building productive, resilient, and ecologically healthy systems (Soils For Life). The organisation produces a large body of evidence‑based case studies showcasing innovative land managers restoring soil health and improving farm viability, with over 50 case studies publicly available and widely used to inspire change (Soils For Life). Its key programs include peer mentoring, soil health monitoring tools like the Soil Health Challenge and Soilmentor, capacity‑building initiatives, cropping resilience projects, and landscape rehydration collaborations (e.g. Communities of Practice and Rangelands Living Skin) (Soils For Life). Guided by holistic, farmer‑centred principles and facilitated by a team of soil scientists, agro‑ecologists and communications specialists, Soils for Life aims to turn curiosity into confident action, supporting systemic change through farmer networks, knowledge sharing and influencing policy and research (Soils For Life).

WA Rangeland Rehydration Review (2024)

Rangelands NRM Rehydration Resource Library

grazing, landscape rehydration, erosion control compendium of articles, reports and case studies

Stages of Drought - Drought model: a deeper explanation (part 1)

Part 1 introduces how the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub has reframed drought planning using a four‑stage model—Good period, Uncertain period, Drought period and Recovery—aligned with traditional emergency‑management principles (Plan/Prevent, Prepare, Respond, Recover) (vicdroughthub.org.au). The blog emphasises that drought is a “creeping hazard” that builds slowly, requiring proactive, risk‑based planning tailored to each farming business and community (vicdroughthub.org.au). By using this model and an aide‑mémoire tool, individuals and regional communities can better assess their current stage, clarify decision‑points, and build capacity and capability to manage drought risk effectively—even amid climate change pressures (vicdroughthub.org.au). Let me know if you’d like a summary of Part 2 or more detail on any specific stage!

Encouraging on-farm climate resilience adaptations A study of barriers, enablers and recommended approaches

This report explores how South Australian farmers are adapting to climate risks and what factors help or hinder this process. Based on survey and interview data, it finds that most farmers have already made some climate-related changes, such as improved water and pasture management, conservative stocking, and adopting minimum till or no-till practices. Key barriers include lack of trust in climate models and institutions, cost constraints, time pressures, and attachment to traditional practices. Enablers include peer-to-peer learning, local trial results, practical demonstrations, and small, manageable grants that support incremental change. The study emphasises the need for trusted messengers, locally relevant evidence, and practical, face-to-face engagement rather than broad, generic messaging. It recommends focusing on building local relationships, using grower groups as trusted intermediaries, and designing programs that align with farmer priorities, especially productivity and risk management, while accepting that some change-resistant farmers may never engage.

iFarm Well

ifarmwell is a free, farmer‑designed online toolkit created by the University of South Australia in partnership with the National Centre for Farmer Health, comprising five brief interactive modules and an eight‑part podcast series to help farmers manage stress, uncertainty and life’s challenges ifarmwell.com.au +15farmerhealth.org.au +15ifarmwell.com.au +15. The content focuses on practical cognitive‑behavioural strategies—such as recognising thought traps, shifting focus to what matters most, grounding exercises and values‑based action—to build everyday resilience, regardless of mental health status farmerhealth.org.au . It is confidential, self-guided, and available anytime from ages 18 to 89 ifarmwell.com.au +11medicarementalhealth.gov.au +11nff.org.au +11. Supported by over a decade of research and user feedback, the program clearly reduces distress while increasing wellbeing in farming communities 

FDF MEL Framework

Summary: The Future Drought Fund (FDF) Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Framework is an Australian Government guide for managing and improving investments in drought resilience. It sets out the rationale, objectives, and methodologies for monitoring, evaluating, and learning from FDF-funded activities, aiming to ensure effective, accountable, and adaptive management to build resilient farming, environments, and communities. Key Insights and Takeaways: - The FDF is a perpetual endowment fund targeting $5 billion by 2028-29, distributing up to $100 million annually for drought resilience. - MEL operates on both long-term (over 4 years) and short-term (less than 4 years) timescales for fund and program-level evaluation. - The framework is structured around three pillars: Monitoring (tracking progress), Evaluation (assessing effectiveness and impact), and Learning (sharing insights for improvement). - It uses a program theory approach, including a theory of change and a theory of action, focusing on economic, environmental, and social resilience. - Resilience is defined as the capacity to adapt, reorganize, or transform in response to climate variability, considering multiple forms of capital (financial, human, social, physical, natural, community, institutional). - Key MEL questions guide the assessment of appropriateness, efficiency, effectiveness, and impact, with tailored plans and indicators. - Progress is tracked using high-level and program-level indicators, emphasizing measurable and reliable data. - The framework is designed to be flexible, cost-effective, transparent, and realistic. - Governance includes defined roles for the FDF team, program managers, and a MEL committee, with structured reporting and risk management. - Risks identified include data quality, attribution, implementation of lessons, external factors, and resource adequacy, with mitigation strategies in place.

FDF Investment Strategy

Summary: The Future Drought Fund (FDF) Investment Strategy 2024-28 details the Australian Government’s plan to enhance drought and climate resilience in agriculture, landscapes, and communities. With $519.1 million allocated over 8 years, the strategy targets five priority areas and emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing to support sustainable, resilient rural industries and communities. Key Insights and Takeaways: - $519.1 million committed over 8 years, with $100 million available annually. - Five priority areas: local solutions, First Nations initiatives, knowledge and skills, innovation, and measuring progress. - Programs include regional innovation hubs, resilience planning, First Nations-led pilots, farm business resilience, climate services, and innovation challenges. - Emphasis on place-based, co-designed, and people-centred approaches, especially with First Nations communities. - Lessons from previous funding: focus on fewer, longer, higher-impact programs and stronger stakeholder engagement. - Investment priorities shaped by Productivity Commission reviews and public consultations. - Holistic approach addresses economic, environmental, and social resilience, requiring public good and value for money. - Flexible, phased implementation to adapt to changing needs and conditions. - Strong focus on monitoring, evaluation, and knowledge sharing, with dedicated funding for these activities. - Supports Australia’s $100 billion agriculture industry target by 2030 and aligns with national climate adaptation and disaster resilience policies.

Pilbara Drought Vulnerability Study

Summary: The 2025 Kimberley and Pilbara Regional Drought Resilience Plan (RDRP) is a community-driven strategy to strengthen economic, environmental, and social resilience to drought in northern Western Australia. Developed with broad stakeholder input and guided by the Future Drought Fund, the plan addresses regional challenges such as climate variability, water scarcity, and social vulnerability, and is structured around five key focus areas. Key Insights and Takeaways: - The RDRP is a collaboration among local communities, Traditional Owners, industry, and government, covering 930,000 km² and nearly 100,000 people. - Both regions face increasing drought risk due to climate change, with more frequent hot days, heat stress, and rainfall variability projected. - Vulnerability assessments indicate moderate resilience but highlight high exposure to heat, water stress, and social disadvantage, especially in remote areas. - Major challenges include water monitoring gaps, infrastructure limitations, high living costs, housing shortages, and limited service access. - First Nations knowledge and participation are central, particularly in water and fire management and land restoration. - Five focus areas guide actions: - Resilient Water Systems: Enhance water monitoring, data sharing, and use of traditional knowledge. - Resilient Communities: Improve liveability, urban greening, water security, and social connection. - Resilient Agriculture: Support strategic grazing, business training, and diversification (e.g., agritourism). - Resilient Landscapes: Integrate traditional fire management, biodiversity conservation, and land health infrastructure. - Resilient Economy: Promote innovation, tourism diversification, and adaptive capacity. - Implementation is overseen by a Project Advisory Group, emphasizing collaboration, monitoring, and adaptive management. - The plan includes a strong investment framework and monitoring/evaluation strategy to ensure actions are effective, equitable, and sustainable. - The RDRP provides a strategic, place-based roadmap for drought resilience, prioritizing local leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and integration of cultural, environmental, and economic strengths.

MLA - Adoption Dry Ready Resources

Summary: The document from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) outlines a comprehensive suite of tools, resources, workshops, and training to help livestock producers prepare for and manage dry conditions and drought. It covers weather forecasting, feed and resource management, livestock care, and business resilience, offering both in-person and online support tailored to different regions and production systems. Key Insights and Takeaways: - MLA provides a variety of events and workshops (e.g., MeatUp, BeefUp, Livestock Advisor Updates) to share the latest research and best practices for drought preparedness. - Practical decision-support tools are available, including climate apps, feedbase monitors, carbon and stocking rate calculators, and cost of production calculators. - Flexible online learning and eLearning packages cover climate management, soil health, pasture management, animal health, and business skills. - Resources are region-specific, ensuring relevance for northern, southern, and western Australian producers. - Peer-to-peer learning and demonstration sites facilitate the adoption of proven management practices. - Mental health and business resilience are supported through dedicated hubs and training. - The document provides direct links to all resources, tools, and training for easy access. - MLA collaborates with government and industry partners to deliver up-to-date, research-backed information and funding opportunities.

Gascoyne RDRP (DRAFT)

Summary: The Gascoyne Drought Resilience Plan is a community-driven strategy aimed at enhancing the region’s ability to adapt to drought and climate variability. Developed through broad stakeholder engagement, it addresses the unique socio-economic, environmental, and cultural context of the Gascoyne, with a focus on resilience in key sectors such as horticulture, pastoralism, tourism, and Indigenous communities. The plan emphasizes preparedness, adaptation, and long-term resilience, supported by ongoing monitoring and learning. Key Insights and Takeaways: - Drought resilience requires adaptation, reorganization, or transformation for improved economic, environmental, and social outcomes. - The plan is community-owned and involves local governments, regional organizations, and key industries. - Drought impacts are multi-dimensional, affecting water resources, vegetation, economic output, mental health, and cultural values. - Multiple drought types are recognized, each with specific indicators and impacts. - Key vulnerabilities include high exposure of Traditional Owner groups and primary industries, with adaptive capacity linked to resource and capital access. - Actions are organized by themes: catchment management, climate networks, support for local champions, mental health, infrastructure, and market access. - Emphasis is placed on integrated, cross-sectoral approaches and ongoing learning, rather than siloed responses. - Monitoring and evaluation are continuous, recognizing resilience as an evolving goal. - Local experiences highlight significant economic and mental health impacts, operational changes, and slow recovery from drought. - Priority areas for preparation include business operations, financial management, infrastructure, leadership, education, and support networks. - Practical adaptation measures include water conservation, landscape management, scenario planning, and improved access to training and mental health services. - The plan is a living document, intended for regular updates as new challenges and opportunities arise.

Pilbara Kimberly RDRP

Summary: The 2025 Kimberley and Pilbara Regional Drought Resilience Plan (RDRP) is a community-driven strategy to enhance drought resilience in northern Western Australia. Developed with extensive stakeholder input and guided by the Future Drought Fund, the plan targets economic, environmental, and social resilience across five key areas: water systems, communities, agriculture, landscapes, and economy. It prioritizes collaboration with First Nations communities and includes a framework for ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive management. Key Insights and Takeaways: - The RDRP is part of a national initiative funded by the Future Drought Fund and WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. - The Kimberley and Pilbara regions span 930,000 km², supporting nearly 100,000 people, with significant Aboriginal populations and resource-dependent economies. - Drought vulnerability assessments indicate moderate resilience but highlight vulnerabilities in heat, water scarcity, and social disadvantage. - Five focus areas: 1. Resilient Water Systems: Integrates First Nations knowledge, improves water monitoring, and ensures equitable access. 2. Resilient Communities: Focuses on liveability, infrastructure, health, housing, and social cohesion, especially for vulnerable and remote groups. 3. Resilient Agriculture: Promotes strategic grazing, land management, capacity building, and diversification. 4. Resilient Landscapes: Supports traditional fire management, biodiversity, and collaborative land restoration. 5. Resilient Economy: Encourages economic diversification, particularly through agritourism, and adaptation in key sectors. - The plan prioritizes 85 project ideas based on public benefit, impact, feasibility, financial sustainability, and stakeholder engagement. - Implementation is overseen by a Project Advisory Group and regional development commissions, emphasizing adaptive management and stakeholder input. - Monitoring and evaluation are integral, using clear metrics and a theory of change approach. - The RDRP is a living document, designed for regular updates and cross-regional collaboration.

Rangelands Living Skin (2024)

Significant collaborative study of soil and land condition and rehabilitation techniques in western NSW rangelands.

Tips for a touch season: Destocking strategies Northern Australia

This resource offers practical guidance for producers in northern Australia to develop destocking strategies during dry or challenging seasons. It emphasises the importance of proactive planning—creating a sound business plan that includes a drought strategy and preparing a dry‑season forage budget to balance stock numbers with available pasture and water. The article advises setting clear dates for decision‑making and documenting the destocking plan well in advance, regardless of short‑term forecasts. Engaging external advisors (like stock agents or rural financial counsellors) and involving all business members is encouraged. Specific steps include assessing pasture, stock and water to set a forage budget; evaluating options such as feeding, agistment or selling; and prioritising stock classes when destocking—like dry or old sheep first, or less productive or empty livestock in cattle—to reduce risk while maintaining business goals.

Pastoral Remote Sensing (DPIRD-PRS)

The Pastoral Remote Sensing (PRS) tool, developed by DPIRD and Landgate, is an online satellite-based mapping system that provides pastoralists across Western Australia with up-to-date information on rainfall, vegetation cover, biomass, and seasonal conditions for every pastoral lease. It offers interactive maps and downloadable station reports showing metrics such as NDVI, green biomass, ground cover, and rainfall, along with historical comparisons to help assess trends. Updated weekly to monthly depending on the dataset, the PRS supports informed decision-making for grazing, stocking rates, and drought planning, while also including tutorials and FAQs to assist users in interpreting the data.

Status of WA Rangelands (DPIRD)

Summary: The 2024 report by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development assesses the condition of Western Australia's pastoral rangelands, focusing on vegetative cover, cover risk, and pasture condition across 23 land conservation districts (LCDs) in four regions. The report uses remote sensing, rainfall, livestock data, and on-ground assessments to evaluate trends and risks, highlighting the impact of rainfall variability and stocking rates on rangeland health. Key Insights and Takeaways: - Rainfall in 2024 was above median in eastern regions and below median in western areas, directly affecting vegetation cover and risk of decline. - High or very high cover risk was present in 11 LCDs (down from 17 in 2023), especially in Broome, most Pilbara LCDs, and several Upper Southern Rangelands LCDs. - Lower Southern Rangelands saw improved seasonal conditions and reduced cover risk, with only Cue and Sandstone LCDs remaining at high risk. - Some LCDs, notably De Grey (Pilbara), had stocking rates above potential carrying capacity (PCC), increasing vegetation pressure and requiring stock reduction for recovery. - Pasture condition assessments since 2016 show the Southern Rangelands have a higher proportion of stations in unacceptable condition (77% in Upper Southern Rangelands) compared to Pilbara (38%) and Kimberley (52%). - Pasture condition was stable in Kimberley, Pilbara, and Lower Southern Rangelands, but improved in the Upper Southern Rangelands. - Recommendations include adjusting stocking rates to match fodder availability, especially in low rainfall/cover areas, and ongoing collaboration to update carrying capacity and implement sustainable management. - Most Lower Southern Rangelands LCDs are stocked below PCC, while some Pilbara and Upper Southern Rangelands LCDs are at or above PCC. - The report stresses the importance of ongoing monitoring, adaptive management, and regional condition standards to improve rangeland health.

UNISQ - climate change scenario analysis

Provides interactive climate data and analysis tools designed to help farmers, pastoralists, and industry professionals manage climate-related risks. Users can select a specific location—either by searching or clicking on a map—and access a range of modules, including historical rainfall averages, monthly data summaries, climate driver analysis (such as SOI and IOD), seasonal forecasts, climate change insights, drought analysis, and rainfall tracking. These tools allow users to examine past climate patterns, understand the influence of global climate drivers, and anticipate seasonal conditions, making it easier to plan and adapt to climate variability. The platform is particularly valuable for decision-making in areas like grazing management, water planning, and drought preparedness, offering clear visual outputs and data tailored to the user’s chosen location.

Climate Resilient WA (2022)

Climate Resilient WA builds on targeted consultation with government, environment groups, peak industry bodies and Aboriginal groups throughout 2022. Identified four directions to accelerate immediate action: 1. Produce and communicate credible climate information 2. Build public sector climate capability and strengthen accountability 3. Enhance sector-wide and community partnerships to unite and coordinate action 4. Empower and support the climate resilience of Aboriginal people. Precursor to WA Climate Adaptation Strategy documentSummary: "Climate Resilient WA" presents Western Australia's climate adaptation strategy, addressing urgent climate risks such as extreme heat, bushfires, drought, and coastal erosion. The strategy builds on existing policies and stakeholder input, outlining four main directions to strengthen resilience. It emphasizes the importance of credible climate data, public sector capability, partnerships, and empowering Aboriginal communities. The document details current adaptation actions, future priorities, and the roles of government, business, and communities. Key Insights and Takeaways: - Western Australia faces major climate risks, including rising temperatures, less rainfall, more extreme weather, and sea level rise, with significant economic and social impacts if adaptation is delayed. - The state aims to reduce government emissions by 80% below 2020 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050, while stressing that adaptation is necessary alongside mitigation. - Four strategic directions guide adaptation: (1) credible climate information, (2) public sector capability and accountability, (3) cross-sector and community partnerships, and (4) empowering Aboriginal climate resilience. - Adaptation actions include investments in water supplies, agriculture, health, fire management, emergency response, and coastal protection. - Local-scale climate projections and updated risk frameworks are being developed to inform planning and infrastructure. - Aboriginal knowledge and leadership are recognized as essential, with a focus on inclusion and support for Aboriginal-led initiatives. - Effective adaptation requires collaboration across all levels of government, business, and communities, with targeted support for vulnerable groups. - Next steps involve further consultation and the release of a comprehensive Climate Adaptation Strategy in 2023.

Climate Adaptation Strategy - WA (2023)

Summary: The "Climate Adaptation Strategy" by the Government of Western Australia presents a comprehensive plan to enhance climate resilience across the state. It acknowledges unavoidable climate impacts and the need for urgent adaptation alongside emissions reduction. The strategy is structured around four main directions: improving climate information, strengthening public sector capability, fostering partnerships, and empowering Aboriginal communities. It includes a detailed action plan with specific initiatives, timelines, and responsible agencies. Key Insights and Takeaways: - Western Australia is already facing significant climate impacts (heatwaves, droughts, bushfires, floods, sea level rise), with vulnerable and Aboriginal communities most affected. - The state targets net zero emissions by 2050 and an 80% reduction in government emissions by 2030, but recognizes adaptation is essential. - Four strategic directions guide the response: 1. Produce and share credible climate information and resources. 2. Build public sector climate capability and accountability. 3. Enhance partnerships with local governments, industry, and communities. 4. Empower and support Aboriginal climate resilience and leadership. - Emphasis on high-quality, accessible climate science, robust adaptation research, and tailored communication. - Public sector adaptation includes embedding climate risk in policies, planning, and infrastructure, with new legislation and frameworks for accountability. - Partnerships support place-based adaptation and sector-specific action plans. - Aboriginal knowledge and leadership are prioritized, with actions to support Aboriginal-led adaptation and integrate traditional knowledge. - Early adaptation investment yields high economic returns, reduces long-term costs, creates jobs, and supports social equity. - Progress will be tracked through a monitoring, evaluation, and reporting framework aligned with broader requirements. - The action plan outlines 37 specific actions, responsible agencies, and timelines across climate science, research, infrastructure, community support, Aboriginal empowerment, and progress tracking.

Unlocking the sustainable transition for agribusiness (UNEP 2025)

Summary: The report highlights the pivotal role of agribusinesses in transforming global food systems toward sustainability. It identifies three systemic barriers—cheaper food paradigm, market concentration, and investment path dependencies—that lock the system into unsustainable practices. The report argues that only coordinated, system-wide action led by governments, including regulatory and financial reforms, can overcome these barriers and address the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Key Insights and Takeaways: - The global food system is a major contributor to climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, while failing to ensure healthy diets for all. - Three main "lock-ins" hinder sustainable transition: prioritization of cheap food, dominance of a few large agribusinesses, and entrenched investment patterns. - Current policies externalize environmental and health costs, making unsustainable practices profitable and sustainable ones less attractive. - Large agribusinesses have the power to drive rapid change but lack sufficient incentives under current market conditions. - Voluntary sustainability efforts by agribusinesses have had limited impact; regulatory and financial reforms are necessary for meaningful progress. - Governments must lead by setting clear targets, reforming subsidies, mandating transparency, and increasing the costs of unsustainable practices. - Tools such as true cost accounting, harmonized reporting standards, and stronger regulation of market concentration and lobbying are essential. - A just transition should protect vulnerable groups, including smallholder farmers and low-income consumers. - Urgent, coordinated action is needed as the window for transformative change is closing.

Reshaping Australian Food Systems (CSIRO, 2023)

Summary: The CSIRO "Reshaping Australian Food Systems" roadmap presents a strategy to transform Australia’s food systems for greater sustainability, productivity, and resilience. It sets out 2030 targets and 2050 goals, focusing on system-wide change through collaboration among government, industry, research, and communities, and aligns with national and global sustainability commitments. Key Insights and Takeaways: - Australia’s food systems face major challenges: climate change, food insecurity, supply chain disruptions, waste, and fragmented governance. - Five transformation focal areas: equitable access to healthy diets, waste minimisation, net zero emissions, resilience aligned with sustainability, and increased value/productivity. - In 2022, 33% of Australians experienced food insecurity; less than 10% of adults met vegetable intake guidelines. - Australia generates 7.7 million tonnes of food waste annually; 43% goes to landfill. - Food systems are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, but emissions have dropped 33% since 2010; the sector aims for net zero by 2050. - Opportunities include integrating equity and sustainability into dietary guidelines, supporting Indigenous food security, local food systems, sustainable packaging, nature-based solutions, and digital traceability. - R&D priorities: data platforms, consumer behaviour, sustainable packaging, emissions reduction, resilient crop/livestock breeding, and new business models. - Transformation requires cross-sector collaboration, systems thinking, and evidence-based, iterative policy and practice. - The roadmap urges Australia to lead in regional and global food system transformation through science, innovation, and partnerships.

Tools to measure community resilience (Torrens 2013)

Summary: The Torrens Resilience Institute’s report introduces the Community Disaster Resilience Scorecard Toolkit, a practical tool for Australian communities to self-assess and enhance their disaster resilience. The toolkit evaluates resilience across four domains—community connectedness, risk and vulnerability, planning and procedures, and available resources—using a participatory, group-based approach. It is designed to foster discussion, collaboration, and continuous improvement in disaster preparedness and recovery. Key Insights and Takeaways: - The Scorecard allows communities to self-assess and benchmark disaster resilience, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. - Four key domains are assessed: connectedness, risk/vulnerability, planning/procedures, and resources. - The tool is intended for group use, promoting diverse participation and consensus-building. - Scoring combines quantitative data with group judgement, supported by clear guidance. - The assessment process itself builds awareness, discussion, and collaboration among community members and stakeholders. - Field trials confirmed the tool’s practicality, clarity, and effectiveness in prompting action planning. - Toolkit materials include guidelines, scorecard templates, a glossary, resource sheets, and sample organizational documents. - Regular use enables communities to track progress and target resilience-building actions. - The approach is adaptable to various community contexts and complements existing emergency management activities. - The Scorecard is a local improvement and engagement resource, not a comparative or compliance tool.

National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework

Summary: The National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework outlines Australia’s strategic approach to proactively reducing disaster risk by 2030. It addresses the increasing frequency and severity of natural hazards, the growing vulnerability of people and assets, and the rising costs of disasters. The framework aligns with international agreements and emphasizes a whole-of-society, integrated, and data-driven approach to disaster risk reduction. Key Insights and Takeaways: - Natural hazards in Australia are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, increasing risks and costs. - Four key priorities: understanding disaster risk, making accountable decisions, enhancing investment in risk reduction, and strengthening governance and responsibility. - Disaster risk reduction is a shared responsibility across governments, industry, communities, and individuals, though not equally distributed. - Effective risk reduction requires integrated, inclusive action across built, social, natural, and economic environments. - Strategies include improving public awareness, addressing data gaps, scenario-based planning, building decision-maker capability, incentivising risk reduction, and embedding resilience in standards and codes. - Investment in risk reduction yields economic and social benefits beyond loss avoidance; collaborative financing and improved insurance uptake are encouraged. - Strong governance, clear roles, and a national oversight mechanism are essential for guiding and supporting efforts, ensuring transparency, and clarifying risk ownership. - Success will be measured by reduced disaster mortality, economic loss, and infrastructure disruption, as well as progress toward Sustainable Development Goals.

WA Community Disaster Resilience Strategy

Summary: The WA Community Disaster Resilience Strategy outlines a comprehensive, community-led framework to strengthen disaster resilience across Western Australia. It emphasizes collaboration among communities, government, and organizations, focusing on prevention, preparedness, and adaptive, long-term approaches to disaster management. Key Insights and Takeaways: - Disaster resilience is a shared responsibility involving government, businesses, non-government sectors, and individuals. - Community engagement and empowerment are central to effective disaster resilience. - The strategy prioritizes prevention and preparedness, not just response, and requires ongoing adaptation. - Resilience is defined as the community’s ability to anticipate, prepare for, cope with, and recover from disasters without compromising the future. - Guiding principles include listening to communities, innovating approaches, and viewing resilience as an ongoing journey. - Five key resilience outcomes: Connect (networks), Prepared (readiness), Supported (safety), Involved (participation), and Informed (access to information). - Four strategic priorities: 1. Increase community involvement and improve information flow in emergency management. 2. Use local development models to boost preparedness and local capacity. 3. Collaborate to reduce risk, focusing on vulnerable groups and co-designing solutions. 4. Embed person-centred, trauma-informed, and inclusive recovery approaches. - The strategy is supported by key agencies and developed with broad community and organizational input.

An Agenda for Change: Community-led disaster resilience

Summary: The "Fire to Flourish" report examines the 2019/20 Australian bushfires, emphasizing their severe and lasting impacts on disadvantaged and Indigenous communities. It calls for a shift from top-down disaster management to community-led, strengths-based, and transformative approaches that address structural disadvantage, embed resilience in community development, and center Indigenous knowledge and leadership. Key Insights and Takeaways: - The 2019/20 bushfires caused unprecedented destruction and long-term trauma, especially for disadvantaged and Indigenous Australians. - Disadvantage and disaster impacts reinforce each other, deepening cycles of poverty and vulnerability. - Indigenous communities faced disproportionate impacts, compounded by cultural and intergenerational trauma and inadequate institutional responses. - Disaster management is moving toward proactive risk reduction and community-led recovery, but more focus on addressing disadvantage is needed. - Effective community resilience requires holistic, place-based approaches that include social, relational, and wellbeing factors. - Empowerment and participation are essential; communities should lead their own recovery, with tailored support for vulnerable groups. - Integrating Indigenous wisdom and leadership into disaster planning strengthens resilience for all Australians. - Building social capital and local leadership is as important as physical reconstruction for long-term recovery. - The report advocates for innovation, experimentation, and research-backed policy to achieve transformative resilience, supported by long-term cross-sector partnerships. - Opportunities include collecting lived experience data, tailoring support, experimenting with engagement models, and investing in social capital and participatory governance.

(Drought) Adoption Officer Review - SNSW Drought Hub (2025)

Summary: The report evaluates the Southern NSW Innovation Hub’s Adoption Officer (AO) program, focusing on its effectiveness in supporting drought resilience and innovation adoption at the farm and community level. Drawing on interviews, case studies, and program documentation, it highlights the value AOs provide, challenges faced, and recommendations for future improvement. AOs are recognized as essential connectors and facilitators, but their impact is limited by short-term contracts, broad roles, and resource constraints. Key Insights and Takeaways: - AOs provide significant value by supporting drought preparedness and offering tailored, on-the-ground assistance to farmers and communities. - The program benefits from strong collegial support, mentoring, and professional development, particularly through partnerships with Local Land Services. - Short-term contracts and lack of job security hinder relationship-building, continuity, and long-term program impact. - The wide geographic scope and diversity of farming systems create logistical and strategic challenges; clearer frameworks and role definitions are needed. - AOs primarily act as facilitators and knowledge brokers, relying on existing resources and best practices rather than introducing new innovations directly. - Program impact is best captured through qualitative narratives, case studies, and capability building, rather than solely quantitative metrics. - Recommendations include securing longer-term funding, establishing clearer strategic and operational frameworks, improving monitoring and evaluation, enhancing resource access, and broadening the focus to include overall climate resilience. - Case studies demonstrate AOs’ effectiveness in building trust, supporting practice change, and collaborating across programs, but also highlight persistent issues with funding, role clarity, and resources.

Grazing management of Australian native woody regeneration as an effective nature-based climate-change solution

Summary: The document reviews how grazing management can enhance native woody regeneration in Australian rangelands, supporting carbon sequestration and ecosystem resilience. While climate is the main driver of woody plant growth, managing grazing—especially by controlling both domestic and feral herbivores—can significantly improve regeneration outcomes. The review synthesizes literature and case studies, particularly on mulga (Acacia aneura), and outlines practical principles for effective grazing management. Key Insights and Takeaways: - Climate factors (rainfall, drought, fire) primarily determine woody regeneration, but grazing management can modify these outcomes, especially during seedling establishment and early growth. - Overgrazing by livestock and feral animals suppresses woody regeneration; reducing or excluding grazing promotes it. - Different herbivores have varying impacts: goats and sheep are especially damaging to palatable species like mulga. - Managing total grazing pressure—including feral and native herbivores—is essential for successful regeneration. - Grazing management is most influential at key stages: site condition, germination, establishment, growth, mortality, seed pool size, and fire incidence. - Excluding all herbivores during early regeneration is often necessary until plants are above grazing height; cattle are generally less damaging than sheep or goats. - Strategic grazing can help manage fuel loads and reduce fire risk, aiding seedling survival. - Six core grazing management principles are proposed: maintain landscape function, ensure seedling survival, maximize early growth, develop infrastructure for grazing control, maximize long-term carbon accumulation, and maintain landscape integrity. - Socio-economic factors, landholder skills, and infrastructure are critical for successful grazing management in carbon projects. - Effectiveness is context-dependent and requires ongoing monitoring, adaptive management, and support for landholders.

Defining potential pathways for improving the resilience and sustainable development of rangeland grazing systems: Insights from northern Australia (Mai et al 2025)

Summary: The paper examines the resilience and sustainability of northern Australia’s rangeland grazing systems using a systems-thinking approach. It identifies major challenges, maps feedback structures, and highlights leverage points for interventions to enhance resilience and sustainability in the rangeland grazing industry. Key Insights and Takeaways: - Rangeland grazing is a complex adaptive system facing interconnected challenges: climate variability, market volatility, environmental degradation, and unstable government policies. - Systems thinking and causal loop diagrams are effective for identifying feedback loops and intervention points. - Major sustainability issues include climate extremes, fluctuating cattle prices, high input costs, pasture and soil degradation, invasive species, biosecurity threats, and policy inconsistency. - Three system archetypes are central: Limits to Growth (resource constraints), Fixes that Fail (short-term solutions), and Shifting the Burden (temporary measures). - Resilience strategies: climate-smart practices (rotational grazing, wet season spelling), improved infrastructure, drought-resistant species, and use of seasonal climate forecasts. - Income diversification (e.g., carbon credits, domestic processing) and collaborative governance are vital for long-term sustainability. - Participatory, multi-stakeholder approaches are necessary for effective and accepted interventions. - The systems model and findings are applicable to rangeland systems globally. - Future research should develop quantitative simulation models to further test and refine interventions.

Grazing systems – Recent Findings in Australia (McCosker et al 2021)

Summary: The document reviews findings from Project Pioneer on Time Control Grazing (TCG) and cell grazing systems in Australia. The study, involving 94 grazing families, found that TCG improves land condition, animal production, ground cover, and water quality, particularly during droughts. Adoption required significant investment and changes in management practices. The complexity of grazing systems means that nuanced, context-specific analysis is necessary. Key Insights and Takeaways: - TCG and cell grazing increased carrying capacity by 14% and animal production per large stock unit by 13.9% over 1.3 million hectares. - Land condition improved, with 29,148 hectares increasing by one condition score in two years. - TCG properties had higher ground cover and better water quality than continuously grazed controls, especially in drought years. - Soil loss under TCG was much lower than under continuous grazing (40kg/ha vs. 630kg/ha during drought). - Subdividing paddocks and increasing management intensity led to a 20% increase in carrying capacity in monitored areas. - Higher grazing density (above 6 head/ha) correlated with increased yield, but only where the land’s carrying capacity allowed. - Successful TCG adoption depended on changing mindsets and business practices before implementing on-ground changes. - The complexity of grazing systems requires nuanced, context-specific metrics for meaningful evaluation. - TCG shows potential to reverse ecosystem degradation and improve soil and ecosystem function, but further research with larger datasets is needed.

A half century of Holistic Management: what does the evidence reveal? (Gosnells et al 2020)

Summary: The article reviews 50 years of Holistic Management (HM) in agriculture, particularly livestock management. HM is a decision-making framework that integrates ecological, economic, and social goals through holistic, adaptive, and values-based approaches. While HM has gained widespread adoption and anecdotal support, scientific consensus on its ecological effectiveness is lacking due to methodological and disciplinary differences. The authors advocate for interdisciplinary, participatory research and emphasize the importance of viewing HM as a social-ecological system. Key Insights and Takeaways: - HM is a holistic, adaptive framework requiring a shift from reductionist to systems thinking. - Central to HM is defining a "holistic context" and ongoing monitoring and adaptation. - Ecological research on HM is mixed, with some studies showing benefits and others finding no significant advantage over conventional grazing. - Social science research consistently finds HM improves adaptive capacity, resilience, social learning, and community engagement. - Economic studies report increased profits and reduced input costs for HM practitioners. - Barriers to adoption include the required paradigm shift, social pressures, practical challenges, and institutional resistance. - The authors recommend participatory, interdisciplinary research and knowledge co-production with practitioners. - HM should be evaluated as a social-ecological system, with success dependent on both ecological outcomes and human agency.

Beyond sustainability for the Australian pastoral industry (Finlayson, 2008)

Summary: The report calls for the Australian pastoral industry to move beyond sustainability and adopt regenerative agriculture, emphasizing that this approach can enhance profitability, ecological health, and community resilience. It challenges common misconceptions about grazing and land management, advocating for holistic, proactive, and diversified strategies. Key Insights and Takeaways: - Regenerative agriculture offers greater benefits than traditional sustainability, including improved profits, ecology, and rural communities. - Holistic management integrates ecological, economic, and social considerations, moving away from reductionist thinking. - Myths about overgrazing and land rest are challenged; planned, intensive grazing can restore land and increase productivity. - Diversifying enterprises (e.g., tourism, value-added products) strengthens business resilience and cash flow. - Innovative financial and marketing strategies, such as balancing resources and off-farm investments, help manage risk. - Regenerative practices enable carbon sequestration, providing ecological benefits and potential new income streams. - The methane debate is reframed: well-managed livestock can aid land restoration and carbon cycling. - Education, adaptability, and an abundance mindset are crucial for industry transformation. - Individual management skills have a greater impact on outcomes than external factors. - Regenerative agriculture can connect producers and consumers, supporting food security, environmental health, and rural prosperity.

Ruminating on soil carbon: Applying current understanding to inform grazing management (Stanley et al 2024)

A pivotal review of grazing management building upon extensive study of adaptive multi-paddock grazing operations in the Californian rangelands and appreciation of holistic management. Proposes a new conceptual model for considering grazing impact to ecological function based on grazing timing and intensity, with under-grazed, overgrazed and optimised states for medium, low and high ecological function in a continuum. Review provides discussion of soil organic carbon, and how common management levers that drive overall grazing pattern, including timing, intensity, duration, and frequency can be used to optimize mechanistic pathways of SOC sequestration, considering arid rangelands.

A ground cover-based incentive approach to enhancing resilience in rangelands viewed as complex adaptive systems (Hacker et al 2010)

Inconsistencies can commonly be expected between the financial goals of rangeland grazing enterprises and public conservation goals such as maintenance of ground cover to reduce erosion. Where the State wishes to promote conservation outcomes, incentive schemes which reward these outcomes on privately managed grazing lands are an option. We describe one such scheme intended to achieve conservation outcomes and support the development of resilience in the complex adaptive (human–environmental) rangeland system through payments related to measured ground cover. A pilot program in western New South Wales has shown that the practical operation of such a program is uncomplicated and that while several theoretical issues could be further refined there is a rationale for extension of the program based on parameters and processes that are agreed by the participants.Wesuggest that development of such a scheme should be considered as part of the policy mix related to natural resource management and drought assistance.

Holistic Management Shifts Ranchers’ Mental Models for Successful Adaptive Grazing (Stanley et al 2024)

Unprecedented climatic and economic uncertainty, in particular severe drought, calls for management that can preclude some of the costs of reactionary measures for California ranchers. Increasing adaptive capacity has been widely recommended to address such uncertainty. Within this context, holistic management (HM), a decision-making framework marketed for ranchers, is of interest because it emphasizes systems-based thinking, maximizing flexibility and adaptability, ecological monitoring, soil health, and goal setting. Many HM ranchers use adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing management, characterized by the combination of moderate to high animal stock densities, fast rotations, pasture rest, iterative monitoring, and adaptive management. We interviewed a small group of AMP-HM ranchers in northern California to 1) examine how their on-the-ground implementation of AMP grazing relates to mental models for rangeland grazing as shaped by HM, including embedded decision-making processes, motivations, barriers, and catalysts; and 2) understand how AMP-HM ranchers believe the strategy helps them respond to increasing challenges. Our findings suggest that first, AMP-HM shifted ranchers’ mental models through its emphasis on monitoring combined with increased interaction with land and animals, changing the ways interviewees saw and understood their management. Second, through its decision-making framework and trainings, AMP-HM increased ranchers’ agency to operationalize new mental models. Together, these two facets culminated in a common suite of strategies that interviewees viewed as key to ranching profitably and sustainably. These include building flexibility into herd sizes and structures to increase temporal and spatial mobility, diversifying ranch enterprises to increase financial flexibility, building soil health, and reducing input costs—all of which have been recommended in rangeland management practices for decades. These findings suggest that AMP-HM, as an integrated package of rangeland management and decision-making practices, accompanied by education and training, may hold promise in helping ranchers strengthen their adaptive capacity and cope with uncertainty.

Challenges and opportunities for grassland restoration: A global perspective of best practices in the era of climate change (Lyons et al 2024)

Grassland biodiversity and the ecosystem services are undervalued. •Restoring resilient grasslands is critical to global carbon sequestration goals. •Successful restoration of grasslands requires a concerted and consistent effort. •Multifunctional approaches are essential for successful grassland restoration. •We summarize best practices to improve grassland restoration success worldwide. Grazing, noting grazing intensity, pyric-grazing and grassland vegetation management with fire explored with global examples.

Integrating Behavioral Theories in Agent-Based Models for Agricultural Drought Risk Assessments (Schrieks et al 2021)

Provides review of behavioural economic and psychological theories and presents a conceptual framework of these cognitive processes for individual farmer within drought risk decision making.

Carbon farming for resilient rangelands: people, paddocks and policy (Baumber et al 2020)

Carbon farming is a new land use option over extensive areas of the Australian rangelands. This land use change has been promoted by government incentives to mitigate climate change, with most of Australia’s land sector abatement to date being delivered in rangelands. Aside from these mitigation benefits, carbon farming has also demonstrated potential co-benefits that enhance socio-ecological resilience by diversifying land uses and income streams, providing opportunities for sustainable land management to enhance soil and vegetation and creating opportunities for self-organisation and collaboration. However, factors such as policy uncertainty, perceived loss of future land use flexibility and the potential for carbon farming eligibility to create social divisions may negatively affect resilience. In this paper we weigh up these risks, opportunities and co-benefits and propose indicators for measuring the impact of carbon farming on the resilience of rangeland systems. A set of land policy principles for enhancing resilience through carbon farming are also identified.

Managing grazing to increase ground cover in rangelands: using remote sensing to detect change (McDonald et al 2024)

Practices that improve the quantity, composition, and persistence of ground cover can contribute to a range of ecosystem services that support agricultural production, regulate climate, reduce erosion and support nutrient cycling. In rangeland grazing systems, incorporating periods of rest and matching stocking rates to feed availability is commonly used with the goal of improving land condition and productivity at a property scale. Understanding and quantifying differences in ground cover associated with changes to grazing management can provide livestock producers with greater confidence in the outcomes associated with their management. It can also demonstrate their nature positive activities which may be valued in emerging markets. This study sought to quantify any changes in ground cover resulting from changed grazing management (strategically managing the timing, intensity and duration of grazing events to maintain or improve land condition) across seven mixed grazing (cattle, sheep and/or goats) study sites in the semi-arid rangelands of western New South Wales, Australia. Time-series estimates of ground cover derived from Landsat imagery for each study site were compared with biophysically similar regional benchmark areas as controls. Overall, ground cover was found to have increased significantly (2–7%) following change in grazing management at four of the seven study sites, relative to control benchmark areas. It was apparent different land units varied in their response to the management change, and that the preceding 12 months rainfall (such as wet, intermediate or dry rainfall years) did not have a consistently significant effect on the relative response. Results of this study highlight that improvements in ground cover and land condition may be achieved through changes to grazing management, but also that there are complexities in both achieving and measuring any change. This study demonstrates the practical application of remotely sensed cover data and dynamic regional comparison techniques to document environmental outcomes at the property scale from grazing management in low input, extensive rangeland grazing systems.

The economics of drought: A review of impacts and costs (CSIRO 2021)

Although a growing body of literature studies drought  impacts, papers providing a comprehensive review  of drought's social and economic impacts are scarce.  This paper fills this gap by exploring the consequences  of drought on societies based on research findings in  Australia—a large country used to experiencing severe  droughts. To do this, we propose a framework to categorise drought impacts in three dimensions: individuals/ households (including health), productive sectors and  system (including economic and ecosystem) impacts.  The framework then guides a systematic literature review  and discussion of studies looking at diverse drought impacts and their related costs. By analysing and discussing  the findings from this literature, we emphasise different  policy considerations, empirical challenges and research  needs to support robust analysis and estimates of the true  cost of droughts. We conclude by proposing an expanded  framework to identify drought impacts and a discussion  of the implications of the review for policy development.

Achieving drought resilience in the grazing lands of northern Australia: preparing, responding and recovering

Northern Australia is characterised by high rainfall variability and extended droughts that challenge sustainable and profitable management of grazing properties. To achieve drought resilience, emphasis must be placed on supporting livestock managers to prepare for drought as well as implementing appropriate drought response and recovery actions. Here we describe insights and learnings gained from working with scientists, industry development and extension officers, and property managers, to enable more profitable and drought resilient extensive livestock production systems across northern Australia. We provide examples from the modelling and analysis of hypothetical grazing properties representative of enterprises across northern Australia. To prepare for drought, we principally propose the application of the farm-management economics framework to identify investment strategies which can improve enterprise resilience through building wealth over the longer term. The critical first step in drought preparedness for beef businesses was the implementation of management strategies to achieve the optimal herd structure, steer sale age, and breeder body condition. Other key strategies to improve profitability across northern Australia were (1) addressing a phosphorus deficiency for cattle through effective supplementation and (2) establishing adapted perennial legume-grass pastures to improve steer nutrition. In addition, we identify the benefits of working closely with livestock managers and industry to gain adoption of proven technologies that effectively improve decision-making capacity and the drought preparedness of extensive livestock production systems. The usefulness of the farm-management economics approach to assess the relative value of alternative tactical destocking and restocking decisions during drought response and recovery is also discussed. These latter analyses can highlight important differences between options in terms of future profit and cash flow, as well as the ability to rapidly return the property to the most profitable herd structure and age of turnoff, with consideration of production and financial risk. Additionally, integrating pasture growth models with herd or flock economic models can provide insights into the effects, on profitability and sustainability, of alternative destocking and later restocking strategies over the longer term. Combined, the farm-management economics framework approach can support more informed decision-making by livestock producers and hence enable more profitable and drought resilient extensive livestock production systems. However, achieving drought resilience in the grazing lands of northern Australia will require emphasis on drought preparation, in addition to appropriate action in response and recovery phases of drought. Key to this approach is increasing the adoption of strategies that enhance drought preparedness. Summary: The document examines strategies for building drought resilience in northern Australia's grazing lands, emphasizing the importance of preparation, informed response, and effective recovery. It uses a farm-management economics framework to assess the profitability and risk of various management strategies for livestock enterprises, highlighting both proven and less effective approaches. Key Insights and Takeaways: - Drought resilience is best achieved through proactive preparation, not just reactive measures. - Farm-management economics is a valuable tool for evaluating management strategies at the property level. - Key preparedness actions include optimizing herd structure, managing steer sale age, and maintaining breeder body condition. - Phosphorus supplementation and establishing perennial legume-grass pastures are consistently profitable. - Some common practices, like production feeding and annual forage crops, may reduce profitability. - Diversifying income sources and enterprise mix enhances profit stability and resilience. - Tactical destocking and restocking decisions should be tailored to each property, balancing future profit and cash flow. - Flexible stocking rates based on pasture availability are more sustainable and profitable than maintaining a core herd through drought. - Adoption of profitable strategies is slow; ongoing education, local trials, and support are needed. - Long-term, multidisciplinary support programs are recommended for all phases of drought management. - Tools like BCD software and farm-management economics approaches can guide investment decisions and improve industry-wide resilience.

Grazing and Biodiversity – The Positive Side (2018 - topic)

The adverse effects of poorly managed grazing on biodiversity and ecosystem function are attested by much scientific literature. This weight of evidence, leading to a generally negative view of grazing as an ecological factor, tends to overshadow the evidence for beneficial effects of properly managed grazing. This compilation of papers presents examples from around the world of the benefits of properly managed grazing for conservation of biodiversity.

The Rangeland Journal Volume 43 Numbers 2 & 3 Special Issue Managing drought and improving business resilience in Australian rangelands (2021)

Special ARS issue with articles on drought management; heavy input from QLD

Savory Institute - Resource Library

Library of articles relevant to HM, case studies, infographics and more from the global Holistic Management hub. Summary eBooks on HM should be available free, with further materials for purchase.

Hope Below our Feet - Science Compendium

 Compendium by Soil4Climate on AMP/Regenerative/Holistic planned grazing. Provides a number of compelling and documented results of increased ecosystem health, resilience, biodiversity through grazing with soil carbon a common measure. 

Grazing Intensity - Science Direct Topic

Grazing intensity (GI) is defined as the level of livestock density and duration of grazing, which significantly influences soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation or decline in grazed ecosystems. It varies in effect based on management practices, including the timing and frequency of livestock grazing.

Kachana Station

Own articles and links on holistic management in the Kimberley

Lachlan Hughes Foundation

Resources - regenerative ag/grazing

Understanding Ag (USA)

Reading list, Factsheets, Case Studies, videos, articles on Regenerative Agriculture (from the US)

RCS Australia

Blog and case studies - regenerative grazing management from leading & trainers advisors

WOCAT Sustainable Land Managemnt Database for the UNCCD

Global database of sustainable land management case studies

Best Management Practice for extensive grazing enterprises (NSW rangelands, 2005)

This publication describes, in broad terms, those arid and semi-arid areas of New South Wales commonly referred to as ‘rangelands’ and the management principles that underlie the sustainable utilisation of these areas by extensive grazing industries. Over such a large area the soils and vegetation vary greatly. Average annual rainfall, and the expected seasonal distribution of rainfall and temperature, are also variable. Some important management principles can be defined, but their application requires a decision-making framework that recognises the complexities of the biological system and the economic circumstances and aspirations of individual families. 8 ball model for decision making: - Personal goals - Human physical and financial resources - natural resources - animal production - plant production - climate - external forces - risk management Report offers some steps and details of each of these 8 key areas with NSW rangelands examples/context

Transformative Actions for Community-led disaster resilience (F2F, 2022)

Community-led disaster resilience building presents the opportunity for system changes that can break cycles of disadvantage and enhance long-term thriving. This report proposes six transformative actions for putting this into practice to strengthen the disaster resilience of Australian communities in the face of climate change. 6 major recommendations: 1. Create pathways for direct investment in community leadership and capabilities for community-led disaster resilience planning and action 2. Support a national community network as critical social infrastructure for strengthening the resilience capacities of Australian communities 3. Formalise inclusive community voice, representation and partnerships in disaster resilience policy and programs 4. Formalise Caring for Country as a holistic resilience practice supported by a national Indigenous Disaster Resilience and Climate Adaptation Framework 5. Make data open, coordinated and readily accessible to communities by streamlining information flows across governments and agencies at local, state and national scales 6. Invest in an innovation platform that facilitates rapid learning, co-design and scaling of promising community-led disaster resilience models, methods and tools.

Measuring for Success (Farming for the Future 2022)

PwC has prepared this report for the Macdoch Foundation and the Farming for the Future program. It builds on a 2021 discussion paper prepared for the Macdoch Foundation, the National Farmers Federation and Farming for the Future, that outlined the opportunity for Australia’s agriculture industry and food, fibre and beverage supply chains in supporting producers to be more financially prosperous, enhance natural capital and become more climate-resilient. 4 chapters: 1. Regulatory and consumer forces will change the game for future food and fibre exports a. Global inc in sustainability demands on food and fibre - ESG, Taskforce on CLimate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and parallel Nature-Related (TNFD) b. food production concerns evolved from food safety to sustainability c. Australia considered a leading ag producer globally, however more robust and standardised quantification of ag sustainability is needed, namely relating to biodiversity and natural capital. d. Nature-positive farming practices present a significant opportunity to support 'clean green' Aust ag. e. But currently producers do not have robust natural capital accounting to quantify/substantiate. f. opportunity also for producers to support supply chain with sustainability commitments/obligations - however requires clarity around natural capital accounting and management costs etc. g. Given large export markets, in-action to address global demands presents risk to market access etc 2. Barriers we need to overcome a. sustainability reporting b. collection, analysis and reporting data - eg costly baseline data for natural capital, traceability. c. benchmarking natural capital is underdone and needs long term, continuous data. d. management that improves natural capital sits with the land manager - more support for management is required. e. Incorporating positive natural capital practices into ag - costs and risks of change, clarity of benefits, ease/difficulty of accessibility to new market (nat capital etc). f. price for producer have not always reflected costs of production (see FAO Food systems and CSIRO AUst Food Systems reports on environmental costs) 3. case for addressing these challenges a. list of opportunities with being an early adopter 4. changes we can make to realise these opportunities a. Figure 3 - changes required across the supply chain; ESG reporting, natural capital accounting, emissions data mainly, plus future TCFD/TNFD; also notes policy changes b. notes examples of government strategies and industry frameworks that have tools for ESG, sustainable production practice evidence reporting... Recommendations (21!!) with a matrix of value and ease 1. Demonstrate the case for investing in natural capital and the  economic, social and environmental benefits it could generate 02. Accelerate the emergence of widely agreed and open access  methods of measuring natural capital 03. Develop a natural capital accounting standard 04. Support benchmarking service providers to include natural  capital in their analysis of farm performance 05. Develop a national natural capital strategy 06. Ensure greater collaboration and interoperability of state and  territory government policies 07. Develop an outcomes-focussed approach to assessing the  sustainability of agricultural landscapes that meets the needs  for environmentally-conscious markets whilst maximising the  adaptive capacity of farm operations and enabling innovation in  production methods. 08. Develop a cost-effective, national verification regime for  sustainable agriculture 09. Advocate for acceptance by international markets, international policy-makers and international finance markets 10. Monitor impacts on producers of imbalances in market  competition 11. Independent assessment of industry’s sustainability performance 12. Simplify certification processes 13. Ensure cost recovery considers the public good 14. Build the capability of producers and advisors on investments in and measurement and management of on-farm natural capital  15. Address gaps in the agriculture education and training  infrastructure 16. Support for market-based incentives to encourage investment in natural capital 17. Support the market to reduce the cost of measuring natural  capital 18. Implement assessment of natural capital on government-owned assets 19. Use government procurement to stimulate supply of natural  capital-positive food and fibre 20. Incorporate sustainability into product traceability 21. Educate consumers on sustainable agriculture

Principles for sustainable resource management in the rangelands (Commonwealth 2010)

Principles: 1. Ecologically sustainable development (ESD) of natural resources should be the underlying principle for sustainable resource management (SRM) in the rangelands. 2. Building resilience in rangeland ecosystems is critical to managing uncertainty in the landscape. 3. The precautionary principle should be adopted so that decisions do not result in irreversible loss of opportunity. 4. Prevention of resource degradation is more effective than rehabilitation 5. While legislative responsibility for ensuring ecologically sustainable development resides with government at all levels, primary responsibility for sustainable resource management rests with landowners and users, in accordance with relevant planning processes and relevant legislation. 6. Rangeland landowners, managers, users, Indigenous peoples, special interest groups, communities and administrators should be consulted in the development of relevant national strategies, where appropriate. 7. The varying tenure arrangements across the rangelands and the impacts on the ability, rights and responsibilities of landholders to access and manage natural resources need to be taken into account. 8. The aspirations and inherent rights of Indigenous peoples and traditional owners, their relationship with the rangelands, and the need for culturally appropriate engagement and consultation processes must be taken into account. 9. Coordination, collection and synthesis of rangeland specific data and the provision of information to national data sets should be actively encouraged. 10. Decisions impacting on the rangelands need to take account of interdependencies and inter-relationships between components of the ecosystems within and between regions, and between the rangelands and the rest of Australia. 11. Rangeland landscapes are not all the same and will respond differently to changes in the environment, and management regimes may need to be adapted for local or regional conditions

Decide and Thrive - NSW

Regional producer interview insights from FDF program Decide and Thrive "What's driving decision making in your region?" Framed to help advisors, extension and engagement in region. NSW - Groundcover as key trigger for reducing stock - Culling can also present an opportunity for herd improvements - learnt from the past that holding and feeding costs land and money. Sell (early) and maintain profitability and natural assets (groundcover). - Producers follow KLR, RCS and LLS - Flexible tool for ranking stock values to help with keep /cull / feed decisions was of interest - but simplicity is key along with flexibility and transparency.

Decide and Thrive - NT

NT - Keep or Cull - temperament and fertility are key culling criteria - scale, variability and nuance of pastoral land meant (long term) land managers and local advisors knew the country best - isolation, limited market access and lack of processing = limited flexibility to lighten off numbers quickly. therefore, timely accurate information was essential - BOM and NAFI tools used. no interest in stock ranking as per NSW - family operations which work long term with property as an heirloom

Decide and Thrive - QLD

QLD - quick and decisive selling is important, but can cause self doubt (risk to manage) - Flexible approach based on markets and stock (lots of market options) - recognition that an objective tool (ranking stock) would be useful for psychological safety around decisions (help sleep at night!) - Peers and family networks influence decisions - Black Box, Long Paddock, RCS, MLA, BOM tools used - mob approach rather than individual animal approach (ie the individual ranking tool) - younger producers more receptive to data/tool but prevailing mindset that building bigger operation is better than improving genetics (individual performance?) -

Drought Resilience Facilitation & Leadership Framework (Uni of Melb, 2023)

Research shows that resilience planning tools and approaches enhance social resilience, however regional communities need leadership and facilitation capacity to implement them. Where does this capacity come from and what social assets and infrastructure are needed to sustain it? This Framework is designed to identify, build, and sustain community capacity to lead and implement strategic resilience planning and action. It has been developed in collaboration with the Victorian Drought Hub network, Agriculture Victoria, and two leading Victorian community organisations. The Framework addresses a critical gap in current drought resilience planning and action by adding new facilitation and leadership training activities and tools to respond to the challenges of drought in Victorian communities. The activities and tools in the Drought Resilience Facilitation and Leadership Framework outline steps that community members can themselves apply to co-develop and lead drought resilience from the “bottom-up”. Activities and tools in this Framework can also be used by groups in the early stages of seeking to develop resilience to other challenges or enacting other changes. Communities and groups developing a program for drought resilience or other challenges might choose to run workshops that cover these five activities and apply the tools from the beginning of their work, or use these tools to identify gaps in their process.

Empowering Communities, Harnessing Local Knowledges: Self-Organising Systems for Disaster Risk Reduction (Sydney Env Institute, 2024)

Key Findings 1. Emergence of Resilient Community Networks: • Community-led disaster response, recovery and adaptation plays a specialised and indispensable role through harnessing local knowledges and social connections. • The cultivation of local knowledges, social connections, and cohesive community relationships is paramount in fostering the development of self-organised community networks. • Detailed network maps and interview data demonstrate the intricate web of interconnected community resources, which in many respects pre-exist the disasters and/or become more integrated through disasters, showcasing how ‘spontaneous’ is a misleading label for this organising. 2. Barriers and Challenges: • The existing disparities between government decision-making processes and grassroots local knowledges poses significant obstacles to the efficacy of disaster management initiatives and increases risk. • Investment in building cohesive community relationships and social infrastructure, guided by local community input, is required – generally, but especially in outlying communities. • A pressing need for increased investment in other infrastructure that supports self-organising systems is identified as a critical step towards addressing vulnerabilities and bolstering community resilience in the face of disasters. 3. Recommendations for Action: • Advocating for robust support mechanisms for self-organised community networks to enhance their disaster response capabilities and overall resilience. • Renovating the interface between the emergency management sector and community organisations. • Emphasising the promotion of social cohesion within communities to cultivate a culture of collaboration and mutual support during times of crisis. • Providing essential recovery support and mental health training to facilitate effective post-disaster assistance and promote community well-being. • Urgently addressing the challenges posed by climate change to mitigate future disaster risks and build sustainable, long-term resilience within communities. The report underscores the imperative of integrating self-organising principles into comprehensive disaster risk reduction strategies. By fostering stronger partnerships between government entities and local communities, investing strategically in critical infrastructure, and implementing the recommended actions, communities can fortify their resilience and navigate the complexities of disasters with greater efficacy.

Transforming Food and Agriculture through a systems approach (FAO, 2025)

Provides a comprehensive framework for rethinking agrifood systems to achieve sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity. Purpose of the Report To clarify what a systems approach means in the context of agrifood systems. To demonstrate its practical application across policies, programs, and interventions. To support countries and regions in embedding systems thinking into their governance and development strategies. Systems Approach: Involves integrated thinking across sectors, disciplines, and scales. Recognizes the interconnectedness of food, health, environment, and economy. Encourages collaborative governance, stakeholder engagement, and adaptive learning. Shifts Proposed From siloed to integrated planning: Breaking down barriers between sectors. From reactive to proactive strategies: Anticipating risks and building resilience. From short-term fixes to long-term transformation: Focusing on sustainability. From top-down to inclusive decision-making: Empowering local actors and communities. The report showcases case studies from countries, regions, and municipalities that have successfully adopted systems approaches. Examples include multi-sectoral food policies, landscape-level planning, and community-led initiatives. Why It Matters Agrifood systems are at the heart of global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, malnutrition, and inequality. A systems approach can unlock co-benefits across health, sustainability, equity, and economic growth.

MANAGING SOIL FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE AFTER A DROUGHT (Soil CRC 2021)

Australia’s variable climate presents ongoing challenges for land managers, particularly during and after drought. The Soil CRC has produced a suite of practical, science-based resources to help farmers, graziers, and landholders manage soil health through these tough conditions.  At the heart of these resources is a focus on protecting and restoring soil function, whether in cropping or grazing systems. The fact sheets and guides available on the Soil CRC website offer actionable strategies for:  - Minimising erosion and soil degradation during drought - Rebuilding soil structure and fertility after drought - Building long-term resilience to future dry periods. 

Global Land Outlook - Rangelands and Pastoralists (UNCCD 2024)

Rather than considering grazing as only a negative impact (overgrazing), this report reflects a shifting tide in recognising the now (2024) established body of evidence for 'regenerative' grazing with positive holistic benefits incl landscape: "Pastoralism and extensive livestock production systems are deeply rooted in the rangelands and often the most effective means to protect, sustainably manage, and restore rangelands.  Appreciating that food and fibre production is the most common economic use of rangelands, sustainable grazing is a proven, cost-effective management approach to enhancing their health, productivity, and resilience. Traditional and regenerative grazing practices can often mimic natural processes that build soil organic matter, increase water retention, sequester carbon, conserve biodiversity, and reduce the spread of invasive species." Rangelands Importance: - Highlights importance of rangelands globally for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, water regulation, and livelihoods. - Pastoralism is a sustainable land use system, often more environmentally friendly than intensive livestock farming. Challenges: - Land degradation, climate change, land conversion, and weak governance threaten rangelands. - Pastoralists are often marginalized, lacking land rights, political voice, and access to services. Key recommendations: - Secure land tenure and recognize pastoralist rights. - Invest in sustainable grazing and restoration practices - synchronising grazing regimes to rangeland life-cycle rhythms and recognise role of mobility. - Support women and youth in pastoralist communities. - Integrate climate adaptation into rangeland policies. - Promote inclusive, participatory governance and knowledge exchange (eg PRAGA below) Learning from History to plan for the future (3.1): - history is important to understand the challenges that limit the success of rangeland and pastoral projects. - Perspectives on pastoralism and rangelands has evolved considerably over last 50 years, however current programs often perpetuate common misconceptions. - 1950s to arguably current - initiatives focus on technical improvement with exclusive aim of modernisation that overlooks value of pastoral livelihoods and management systems - In general, the scientific understanding of rangeland functioning improved, while many outdated colonial perceptions receded. This paradigm shift had important implications for sustainable rangeland management and restoration which have yet to be fully realised - especially with regard to poverty, decent work, and environmental sustainability. Big lessons for future: - First: Pastoralism must be integrated into rangeland projects/programs to improve rangeland health - across social, economic and ecological/environmental reasons. ie attempts to conserve biodiversity without considering livestock production or overlook the role of grazing are often inefficient, even counterproductive to addressing the vast extent of rangeland degradation. - Recognised that pastoralism can directly and indirectly accelerate progress towards land and ecosystem restoration targets. - Second: Need to create synergies between nature/climate goals and management-based approaches to improve food security, livelihoods, sustainable production. These are often compatible and even complimentary, and also prioritise the participation, rights and knowledge of local community/land managers. 3 National Strategies from the FAO - national strategies and action plans recognising and support pastoral systems - avoid undermining pastoralism - improve land governance and tenure security to enfranchise pastoral communities

Harvesting Change Breaking stigma, building resilience (Vic Farmers Federation 2024)

Handbook designed to support mental health and well-being in rural and ag communities. It aims to break stigma, build resilience and provide practical tools for farmers, farm workers and their families. 1. Understanding Mental Health Mental health is a continuum—from thriving to struggling to crisis. Recognising signs early (e.g. sleep issues, mood swings, withdrawal) is crucial. Mental health affects decision-making, relationships, and farm productivity. 2. Common Challenges in Rural Communities Burnout from long hours and stress. Environmental factors like droughts and floods. Life events: illness, loss, parenting, relationship breakdowns. Financial pressure, isolation, domestic violence. Addiction, trauma, physical disability. Cultural and linguistic diversity and LGBTQIA+ challenges. 3. Self-Care Strategies Breathwork, journaling, nature walks, music, laughter. Healthy eating, exercise, sleep routines. Setting boundaries and seeking social support. 4. Seeking Help Encourages early intervention and normalising help-seeking. Lists conversation starters and explains roles of GPs, psychologists, social workers, etc. Case studies show real-life examples of recovery and resilience. 5. Mental Health in Farm Workplaces Traits of mentally healthy workplaces: fairness, respect, open communication. Tools for employers to assess and improve workplace culture. Wellness programs and activities like farm yoga and healthy snack rosters. 6. Creating Supportive Communities Encourages open dialogue, sharing resources, celebrating traditions. Case studies highlight the power of community support and personal transformation. 7. Resources & Contacts Extensive list of emergency and support services (e.g. Lifeline, Beyond Blue, Safe Steps). Specific support for children, men, women, LGBTQIA+, CALD communities, and veterans. Special Features Tear-out action plan for managing stress and identifying support networks. QR codes linking to videos, guides, and additional resources. Case studies from real farmers and families. Final Message Mental health is just as important as physical safety on farms. This handbook is a lifeline for those struggling and a guide for those supporting others. It promotes a culture of care, connection, and resilience.

Sustainable Rangeland Management Toolkit for Resilient Pastoral Systems (IUCN 2022)

Focus on Jordan and Egypt as part of HERD project (Healthy Ecosystems for rangeland development), this sought to collate best available tools and knowledge for management of arid-semi-arid regions from local and international experts. - Ecological: Lands dominated by grasses, shrubs, and forbs used for grazing. - Rangeland management depends on applying knowledge of rangeland ecology, namely the relationship between grasses and grazers, and how this ecology (or lack) will shift the vegetation towards or away from desired vegetation, i.e. without grazing woody vegetation will increase. - Social: Includes diverse ecosystems managed by pastoralists and communities. Importance - Cover ~50% of global land. - Support 200–500 million people. - Store 1/3 of terrestrial carbon. - Home to 1/3 of terrestrial biodiversity. Threats - Overgrazing: occurs when plants are exposed to intensive grazing for extended periods of time, or without sufficient recovery periods. Over-grazing reduces the usefulness, productivity, and biodiversity of the land and is one cause of desertification and erosion. - Undergrazing: means permitting the growth, quality or species composition of grazed vegetation to deteriorate significantly through the lack of, or through insufficient, grazing or management - Noting both grazing terms are poorly understood which contributes to land degradation. over-grazing is usually taken to mean the intensity of animal grazing, most often associated with the number of animals or stocking density. In fact, it is the timing of grazing as much as the total stocking density that is most likely to determine the health of a rangeland area. The management response is critical. Reducing the number of animals can be detrimental if no consideration is given to the timing of grazing or to the beneficial role that animals play in rangeland health. - land conversion, - climate change, - poor governance.   🛠️ Toolkit Components & Practices 1. Participatory Rangeland Management Planning (PRMP) - Engages stakeholders in inclusive, action-oriented planning. - Steps: stakeholder analysis, situation analysis, mapping, action planning, monitoring. 2. Hima System - Traditional communal rangeland governance from the Arabian Peninsula. - Revived to integrate conservation with community-led management. 3. Water Harvesting Techniques - Includes bunds, basins, gabions, cisterns, and reservoirs. - Enhances soil moisture, reduces erosion, supports vegetation growth. 4. Soil Surface Scarification - Breaks crusted soil to improve water infiltration and seed germination. - Can be done naturally (herd effect) or mechanically. 5. Direct Seeding - Cost-effective restoration method using native or adapted species. - Techniques: broadcasting, drilling, pitting, aerial sowing. 6. Shrub/Tree Plantation - Provides fodder, shade, erosion control, and carbon sequestration. - Requires careful species selection and water harvesting support. 7. Grazing Management - Balances grazing pressure and recovery periods. - Promotes biodiversity, soil health, and livestock productivity. - Includes rotational grazing, deferred grazing, and herd mobility. 8. Rangeland Inventorying, Monitoring & Assessment (RIMA) - Combines field methods and remote sensing. - Uses indicators like vegetation cover, biomass, soil health, and biodiversity. 9. Ecosystem Health Assessment - Uses participatory and scientific indicators. - Informs restoration planning and adaptive management.   📍 Case Studies - Southern Tunisia (Tataouine): Combines grazing exclusion, water harvesting, and direct seeding. - Karnabchul, Uzbekistan: Addresses overgrazing and invasive species with participatory management and ecological restoration. - Jordanian Badia: Implements Hima system, water harvesting, and community-based governance.   📚 Glossary & References Includes extensive definitions of rangeland terms and references to global best practices, ecological models, and restoration strategies.   ✅ Toolkit Goals - Promote sustainable land use. - Restore degraded rangelands. - Empower pastoral communities. - Support biodiversity and climate resilience.

PARTICIPATORY RANGELAND AND GRASSLAND ASSESSMENT (PRAGA) METHODOLOGY (FAO, 2022)

 Development & Implementation Created under the project “Participatory assessment of land degradation and sustainable land management in grassland and pastoral systems”. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Jointly executed by FAO and IUCN. Piloted in five countries: Burkina Faso, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Niger, and Uruguay. Key Features Participatory approach: Engages local communities, pastoralists, and stakeholders in the assessment process. Multi-scale assessment: Combines local knowledge with scientific data. Cost-effective tools: Designed to be practical and adaptable to different contexts. Guiding principles: Focus on ecosystem health, land degradation indicators, and sustainable land use. Contents of the Methodology Background on global rangelands and grasslands. Justification for rangeland health assessments. Step-by-step guidance on conducting assessments. Lessons learned from pilot countries. Maps, illustrations, and bibliographic references.

Recovering from Drought (FutureBeef 2020)

This information has been prepared to help you make informed decisions on how to effectively manage your business following prolonged drought conditions. It is not a comprehensive analysis of all drought recovery management options, but it does provide a ‘first look’ at some of the key strategies and actions to consider when planning for recovery: Phase 1: Assessing your feed availability including drought feeding and supplements, assessing pasture availability and quality. Phase 2: Rebuilding your herd including herd structure and optimum age of turnoff, herd rebuilding strategies, biosecurity considerations. Phase 3: Monitoring herd and pasture performance including pasture condition and animal performance. Phase 4: Planning for the next dry. It is important to remember that management decisions made during drought will impact on the options that are available during drought recovery. The recovery strategies that will be most suitable for you and your business will depend on many factors and it is important that you spend time evaluating which are most applicable and their impacts when planning your drought recovery. This article is a FutureBeef (open) copy of Queensland Dept Agriculture and Fisheries factsheet, which builds off the DCAP publication: Bowen MK, Chudleigh F (2018) ‘Fitzroy beef production systems. Preparing for, responding to, and recovering from drought.’ The State of Queensland, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland: Brisbane, Qld, Australia. Fitzroy is 600-750mm grazing land in central Qld coast for context.

Not IF but When: supporting Queensland COmmunities Plan for the Challenges of Drought (Red Cross 2021)

Key Points: - The ‘drought space’ in Queensland is crowded – and could get more crowded in the future. - Australian Red Cross has a unique ‘auxiliary’ role with government in dealing with disasters, and wishes to build on their experience to contribute to discussion and reform about drought – hence this Discussion Paper. - As well as a Rapid Review of available documents and resources, we conducted a number of field trips to 10 local government areas (LGAs) in Queensland. We spoke to 103 people through semi-structured interviews… and chatted to many more. - Drought has a variety of different types of impacts – hydrological, agricultural, economic… as well as environmental, social, cultural, wellbeing and ‘psychosocial’. These all need to be taken into account when preparing, planning, responding and recovering from drought. - It is these ‘external’ factors, combined with the ‘personal’ capacities, culture and social support of the person or community that affects their ability to deal with the impact of drought and determines their ‘wellbeing’. - By and large, the current drought response, relief and recovery programs in Queensland are “working okay” but could be improved to include more community planning, ‘preparedness’ and capacity-building for ‘resilience’. - Most local people are not so interested in ‘definitional distinctions’ between drought and ‘disasters’ or ‘policy debates’, but they are interested in seeing some reform. People are interested to see the outcomes of recent reviews (e.g. Queensland Drought Program) and the progress of recent developments (e.g. the establishment of the National Resilience, Relief and Recovery Agency). - There is a widespread recognition of the need for more practical community-based planning for drought Resilience, Relief and Recovery (‘RRR’) planning. - Proposes draft outline of a community-led model of Drought (and other Adverse Events) ‘Resilience, Relief and Recovery (RRR)’ planning (designed for Qld) with 4 steps outlined in a one page with tasks for each stage: - 1. getting started - regional planning forum - 2. listing to community - local planning forums - 3. Putting it all together - consolidation forum - 4. Joint planning and resource allocation - meeting

Resources for Dry Times (SNSW Drought Hub 2025)

Recent list of drought and farm information resources from other sources namely LLS. - MyClimateView - Pastures - Feeding - Water management including the sustainable dams work by ANU

Self Herding Guide

Self Herding is a behaviour-based livestock management approach, which provides livestock managers with strategies and tools to positively influence grazing distribution, and help livestock adapt to new surroundings. It has particular relevance and value in rangeland production systems (with large pastoral operations in mind) but can be used in farming setting also. The self-herding principles and practices outlined in this publication draw on a large body of research, from Australia and overseas, on behavioural science, grazing management and nutrition. Applying self-herding principles allows you to influence the decisions animals make about how they interact with: each other, you and the landscape. The self-herding approach helps shape livestock grazing habitats and diet selection. By encouraging animals to make grazing decisions through positive experiences, you can establish long-lasting behaviours that benefit your business and your landscape.

Northern Australia Climate Program - review 2022

Example extension program which connects research (and BOM tool development) to end user (grazier) through locally based extension officers. - NACP’s framework is adaptable to other regions and industries. - Emphasizes the importance of user-driven research, clear communication, and trusted local engagement.  End-to-End Framework NACP is a model of integrated climate services: 1. Research – Improving climate models and understanding rainfall/drought mechanisms. 2. Development – Creating tailored forecast products. 3. Extension – Engaging directly with producers via “Climate Mates”. 4. Adoption – On-ground application of forecasts. 5. Impact – Enhancing industry resilience and decision-making. Developed information products tailored to northern beef producer needs - Flash Drought Index and - Rainfall Burst potential

Status of the WA pastoral rangelands 2024

Annual Remote sensing groundcover analysis of WA pastoral estate at the LCD level.

Relationships between climate variability, soil moisture, and Australian heatwaves (Perkins et al 2015)

Abstract While it is established that low-frequency climate variability modes have a dominant role on Australia’s climate, limited work to date has focused on relationships between climate variability and Australian heatwaves. Moreover, heatwaves are a distinctive type of extreme weather that can be classified by multiple characteristics, such as intensity, frequency, duration, and timing. This study identifies the relationships between known modes of climate variability that influence Australian climate, and discrete seasonal characteristics of the intensity, frequency, duration, and timing of heatwaves. The large-scale seasonal modes of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) are investigated for extended Austral summers commencing between the years 1911 and 2012. While ENSO is found to have the strongest relationship with Australian heatwave characteristics, this study finds that ENSO’s influence differs between heatwave frequency, duration, intensity, and timing. Regions dominated by ENSO experience more, longer lasting and hotter heatwaves combined with an earlier commencement of the heatwave season during El Niño phases. The exception to this is southeast Australia, where SAM is generally more dominant. In contrast, the IOD provides little indication of seasonal heatwave characteristics due to its relative inactivity during the Austral summer months. Lastly, we show that antecedent soil moisture has varying strengths of relationships with Australian heatwave characteristics, exhibiting relationships with heatwave intensity and timing over some regions where none are detected between large-scale modes. However, while significant relationships between dry antecedent soil moisture and extreme heatwaves do exist over Australia, these appear to be slightly weaker than similar relationships over Europe reported in other studies

RUMEN ECOLOGY DRIVING PRODUCTIVITY AND LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY IN THE SHRUBLANDS OF THE WEST AUSTRALIAN RANGELANDS

ABSTRACT The halophytic shrubs of the West Australian (WA) semi -arid shrublands provide the microbes in the rumen of livestock with a relatively constant source of salt and rumen degradable nitrogen (RDN), but the supply of digestible organic matter (DOM) is often low. When the salt content of the drinking water is also high, the dietary preference of livestock is likely to be driven towards plant species with low salt content and adequate DOM. Perennial grasses are an important component of these species in shrublands as they can improve livestock productivity, especially in dry seasons. This dietary preference has important implications for livestock management when these species are in short supply. After decades of continuous and sometimes high grazing pressure, the perennial grasses of the WA shrublands are now restricted to protected niches under shrubs and fallen branches. The task of regenerating sustainable livestock production may require changes to grazing management that will regenerate and maintain perennial grasses. Kangaroos must also be controlled, as de-stocking alone has been seen to lead to a six-fold increase in kangaroo numbers.

Spinifex Pastures (Alchin and Fletcher 2025)

Collation of published material and producer insights on spinifex pasture management.

Storylines of the Pilbara's future climate (NESP 2023)

Purpose - The report trials a “storyline” approach to regional climate projections, focusing on future water availability in the western Pilbara (Yule and De Grey aquifers). - Storylines are plausible, narrative-based futures rather than probabilistic forecasts, intended to support decision-making under uncertainty. Why Storylines? - Traditional climate projections (ensembles, probabilistic models) are complex, uncertain, and hard to apply at local scales. - Storylines help decision-makers by presenting coherent, plausible futures that illustrate risks and trade-offs in water planning. Case Study Design - Co-designed with Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER, WA). - Focus: Yule, De Grey, and Millstream aquifers (though Millstream proved too complex for the dataset). - Metrics: runoff and aquifer recharge tied to environmental and supply reliability objectives. Data & Methods - Used the National Hydrological Projections (NHP) dataset, which applies bias correction and hydrological modelling to CMIP5 climate models. - Examined wet season runoff (main driver of aquifer recharge). - Compared different bias correction approaches and large-scale drivers like tropical tropospheric warming and stratospheric polar vortex changes. Key Storylines (to 2050, under high emissions RCP8.5) 1. Much Wetter Future - Weak tropical warming → increased rainfall/runoff. - De Grey: runoff ↑ ~150%, drought frequency ↓ ~90%. - Yule: runoff ↑ ~120%, drought frequency ↓ ~100%. 1. Little Change - Moderate tropical warming + delayed vortex breakdown → mixed outcomes. - De Grey: runoff ↓ ~10%. - Yule: runoff ↑ ~50%. 1. Severely Drier Future - Strong tropical warming + early vortex breakdown (not fully captured in NHP). - Approx. from downscaled CCAM model. - De Grey: runoff ↓ ~60%, droughts ↑ ~70%. - Yule: runoff ↓ ~70%, droughts ↑ ~100%. Limitations - NHP dataset didn’t capture the driest plausible futures seen in full CMIP5 models. - Hydrological modelling biases, especially for Millstream, reduced reliability. - Local processes (tropical cyclones, land–atmosphere feedbacks, SST patterns) not fully captured. - Need for more regional climate modelling and local calibration. Lessons & Recommendations - Storylines help explore uncertainty and correlated risks for water planning. - Future work should: - Improve representation of extreme drying scenarios. - Incorporate high-resolution models and multiple data sources. - Better link runoff modelling with climate drivers. - Include water demand and ecosystem impacts in assessments. Main Takeaway The Pilbara faces plausible futures ranging from much wetter to severely drier by 2050, with large uncertainty. Existing datasets may underestimate drought risk, so water planning must prepare for extreme variability in aquifer recharge.

The water of systems change (2018)

Paper aims to clarify what it means to shift conditions that are holding a social or environmental problem in place. Many others have researched and written thoughtfully about systems change in great depth, and social activists at grassroots and national levels have been doing and using such analyses for decades. The framework we offer here is intended to create an actionable model for funders and other social sector institutions interested in creating systems change, particularly those who are working in pursuit of a more just and equitable future. Six conditions of systems change: - Policies: Government, institutional and organizational rules, regulations, and priorities that guide the entity’s own and others’ actions. - Practices: Espoused activities of institutions, coalitions, networks, and other entities targeted to improving social and environmental progress. Also, within the entity, the procedures, guidelines, or informal shared habits that comprise their work. - Resource Flows: How money, people, knowledge, information, and other assets such as infrastructure are allocated and distributed. - Relationships & Connections: Quality of connections and communication occurring among actors in the system, especially among those with differing histories and viewpoints. - Power Dynamics: The distribution of decision-making power, authority, and both formal and informal influence among individuals and organizations. - Mental Models: Habits of thought—deeply held beliefs and assumptions and taken-for-granted ways of operating that influence how we think, what we do, and how we talk.

State of the Environment Report - Land (2021)

National report - check in conjunction with status of WA rangelands. 4 major findings 1. Competition for land and its resources is growing: Intense competition for land resources in Australia has resulted in continued declines in the amount and condition of our land-based natural capital – native vegetation, soil and biodiversity – which deliver essential ecosystem services 2. Native vegetation is still being cleared and invasive species are increasing, and climate change is compounding the effects of these pressures 3. We are increasing the amount of private and Indigenous protected land in Australia: a. Indigenous land and sea management is increasingly supported through multiyear funding agreements, which now recognise the important role of Indigenous rangers in conserving cultural heritage, in addition to natural values. Awareness of the wellbeing benefits this connection to Country brings could be broadened. b. Indigenous people are rich in land assets and poor in terms of access to finance and other critical support to manage Country: recognition of Indigenous ownership or land-use agreements does not automatically translate to Traditional Custodians accessing, actively managing and realising wellbeing and economic benefits from their lands. 4. Soil management and data are vital to ensure land use is sustainable: a. The health of our soils continues to decline. Australia has had the third highest cumulative loss of soil organic carbon in the world over just 250 years. b. Regenerative management practices are restoring soil function locally, but adoption is not yet widespread. c. Groundcover targets have not been met, and monitoring is identifying where improved protection from wind erosion is needed

Drought Plan Template (NSW DPI 2023)

Summary: The NSW Drought Plan Template guides farmers in proactively managing drought by emphasizing forward planning, regular resource assessment, clear decision points, and prioritizing well-being. It provides structured tables for inventories and encourages written, actionable plans. Key Insights and Takeaways: - Proactive, forward planning is crucial for effective drought management. - Keep updated records of livestock, fodder, and water to support informed decisions. - Establish trigger points (e.g., water or feed shortages, financial thresholds) to prompt timely action. - Regularly review financial status and seek assistance from rural financial counsellors if needed. - Act on critical dates and stay informed through reliable sources. - Prioritize personal and team mental health; use available support services. - Access further information and support from NSW Droughthub, Local Land Services, and mental health organizations.

Farm Water Management Plan EXAMPLE

Summary: The Farm Water Management Plan outlines a comprehensive approach for managing water resources on a 1500 ha mixed farming property in southern NSW. It addresses property details, drought strategies, water budgeting, storage calculations, infrastructure options, financial planning, and steps to improve drought resilience. Key Insights and Takeaways: - The property receives a median annual rainfall of 386 mm and supports fat lambs, beef, mixed cropping, a household of 4, and a 0.3 ha garden. - The plan’s main goal is to secure adequate water supply for at least two years of drought, focusing on both quantity and quality. - Past droughts revealed insufficient water storage as the main vulnerability, leading to destocking and water cartage. - The drought strategy includes early destocking, retaining core breeding stock, and managing them in a dedicated area, aiming for a 60% stocking rate during drought. - Action triggers include maintaining 70% ground cover and a minimum of 700 kg DM/ha, with a staged destocking and feed management plan. - Water budget calculations show a current storage of 4.47 ML versus a two-year demand of 10.1 ML, resulting in a 5.6 ML shortfall. - The plan details water needs for livestock, garden, household, and general farm use, as well as losses from evaporation and seepage. - Infrastructure options considered include enlarging/building dams, fencing, pumps, tanks, troughs, remote monitoring, and backup systems. - Estimated initial costs are $80,000–$110,000, with low-interest loan options available. - Next steps involve finalizing technical details, obtaining quotes, seeking financial advice, and applying for funding.

Ecological and social resilience in Western NSW: Insight from seven years of enterprise based conservation (Compton et al 2010)

Summary: The document reviews seven years of Enterprise Based Conservation (EBC) programs in Western NSW, which use market-based incentives to encourage private landholders to manage land for conservation. Spanning over 130,000 hectares, these programs have improved ecological, social, and economic resilience in rangeland communities. Key Insights and Takeaways: - EBC programs are a cost-effective alternative to expanding national parks, costing about $2 per hectare per year. - Ecological benefits include reduced grazing pressure, active pest and weed control, habitat restoration, increased biodiversity, and improved groundcover. - Social resilience is strengthened by supporting families to remain on the land, building community networks, and providing government support in a socially acceptable way. - Economic resilience is enhanced through reliable incentive payments, income from feral animal harvesting, and diversification into new enterprises. - Conservation practices are adopted across entire properties, not just in specific areas. - Networking and knowledge-sharing among participants build social capital and foster innovation. - EBC is presented as a scalable and effective model for natural resource management in rangeland areas.

Drought Resilience, Adaptation and Management Policy framework (UNCCD 2019)

Summary: The document provides technical guidelines for developing and implementing national drought resilience, adaptation, and management plans, structured around the Drought Resilience, Adaptation and Management Policy (DRAMP) Framework. It emphasizes a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach to drought risk reduction, organized into six interconnected goals and three key pillars: monitoring and early warning, vulnerability and risk assessment, and impact limitation and response. The guidelines highlight the importance of robust indicators, risk assessments, structural and non-structural interventions, and risk-sharing mechanisms. Key Insights and Takeaways: - The DRAMP Framework’s six goals are: reduce exposure, reduce vulnerability, increase resilience, enable transformation, improve preparedness/response/recovery, and transfer/share drought risks. - The three key pillars for national drought policy are: (1) monitoring and early warning, (2) vulnerability and risk assessment, and (3) impact limitation and response. - Effective drought monitoring requires selecting appropriate indicators and triggers, with a recommended 12-step process for indicator selection. Common indices include SPI, VHI, and composite systems like the US Drought Monitor. - Drought risk assessments should integrate hazard and vulnerability, using consistent indicators and multi-dimensional vulnerability assessments (social, economic, environmental, institutional). - Impact limitation measures include diversifying and modernizing agriculture, sustainable land and water management, communication and capacity building, and risk-sharing tools such as weather index insurance and social safety nets. - Timely communication and response are critical; ICT and citizen science can enhance early warning and impact reporting. - The guidelines recommend tailored, sector-specific approaches, consistent use of indicators, and innovative risk-sharing mechanisms to protect vulnerable communities and support recovery.

Grazing management for soil carbon in Australia: a review (McDonald et al 2023)

Summary: The review examines the impact of grazing management (stocking intensity and grazing method) on soil organic carbon (SOC) in Australia. It finds no significant direct effect of these practices on SOC sequestration, but notes that lower stocking intensity and rotational grazing with rest periods improve herbage mass and ground cover, which are important for SOC accumulation. The response of SOC to grazing is highly context-dependent, and grazing management alone is unlikely to be a primary strategy for offsetting livestock emissions, though it offers other productivity and ecosystem benefits. Key Insights and Takeaways: - No significant direct effect of stocking intensity or grazing method on SOC sequestration in Australian studies. - Lower stocking intensity and rotational grazing with rest periods increase herbage mass and ground cover, supporting SOC accumulation. - Minimal impact of grazing management on pasture growth rate and below-ground biomass, with some improvements under certain conditions. - SOC response to grazing is highly context-dependent, influenced by climate, soil type, pasture composition, and management specifics. - Detecting SOC changes is challenging due to slow, small, and spatially variable changes, and study design limitations. - Grazing management should be seen as providing co-benefits for productivity and ecosystem services, not as a primary emissions mitigation strategy. - Future research should focus on plant growth rate, below-ground production, and root dynamics as key drivers of SOC, and consider integrated management practices. - SOC sequestration should be viewed as a co-benefit of improved grazing, not the main objective for emissions mitigation in the Australian livestock industry.

Impact of different destocking strategies on the resilience of dry rangelands (Vignal et al 2023)

Summary: The document examines how different livestock destocking strategies impact the resilience and productivity of dry rangelands using a mathematical model. It finds that while higher stocking densities increase productivity, they reduce ecosystem resilience and risk land degradation. Adaptive destocking—removing animals more quickly as forage declines—enhances resilience to drought and vegetation loss without reducing long-term productivity. Key Insights and Takeaways: - Higher stocking densities decrease rangeland resilience, increasing the risk of collapse. - There is a maximum sustainable livestock density; exceeding it leads to inevitable land degradation. - Adaptive destocking (removing animals in response to declining forage) significantly improves resilience to drought and vegetation loss. - Adaptive strategies allow rangelands to recover from larger vegetation losses, while fixed strategies risk collapse after severe droughts. - Adaptive destocking can improve resilience without sacrificing long-term productivity, breaking the typical trade-off. - Policy and management should support adaptive destocking and livestock mobility for sustainable rangeland management. - The findings support traditional adaptive pastoralism over fixed, high-density stocking. - Insights are applicable to other systems where resource-dependent removal or mortality is possible.