<
https://theconversation.com/grape-growers-are-adapting-to-climate-shifts-early-and-their-knowledge-can-help-other-farmers-183636>
"It’s commonly assumed Australia’s farmers and cities are divided over climate
issues. This is not true. After all, farmers are on the front line and face the
realities of our shifting climate on a daily basis.
In regional Australia, our research has found many farmers are already
responding to climate change threats and finding ways to adapt.
Wine grape growers are among those who are responding fastest. That’s because
their crop is extremely sensitive to weather and climatic shifts. Growers have
had to learn quickly how to adapt to safeguard their industry. Think pruning
for better canopy management, growing cover crops to keep the ground cooler and
promote soil health, and reducing how much water they use in irrigation.
Establishing a vineyard takes a long time – up to five years until the vines
produce a full yield. Grape growers have to take a medium to long term
perspective to farming, weighing up forecasts about climate change and market
trends a decade or more in advance. Successful vignerons recognise the need to
work together in a coordinated way to achieve positive outcomes. Maintaining
local agency is crucial, and relinquishing this can open up new risks.
Australia’s broader farming community will have to draw on similar adaptations
– preparing for less rainfall in some areas, or finding ways to capture the
enormous but less frequent rain bursts predicted for other areas."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
