Perceptions of climate variability, and dairy farmer adaptations in Corangamite Shire, Victoria, Australia

Elgin-Stuczynski, Iain R. and Batterbury, Simon (2014) Perceptions of climate variability, and dairy farmer adaptations in Corangamite Shire, Victoria, Australia. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 6 (1). pp. 85-107.

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Abstract

Purpose: The article surveys dairy farmers’ lay knowledge of climate change and the adaptation strategies they have implemented to respond to climatic and economic drivers. Dairy farming is highly dependent on climate. The case study is in Western Victoria, Australia, part of a major dairy farming region that contributes 26% of national milk production and 86% of the country’s dairy exports. Design: This study utilised a survey and semi-structured interviews in Corangamite Shire, to document dairy farmers’ perceptions of climate change and the adaptation strategies they have implemented, compared to meteorological data on past climate variability. Findings: Farmers in this region perceive a change in rainfall and temperature broadly in line with meteorological records. Those that have experienced a greater degree of climate vulnerability were found to perceive it more accurately. Almost all respondents had already made changes to their dairy businesses, but in doing so only a small percentage were responding directly to seasonal variability or longer term changes (9% and 15% respectively); the majority said they were responding to changing economic conditions in the industry. Originality/value: A primary survey of dairy farming adds to knowledge of how climate changes are perceived, and how they are adapted to in a region heavily reliant on rainfall for its prime economic activity.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management
Additional Information:
This article is (c)2014 Emerald Group Publishing and permission has been granted for this version to appear here. Emerald does not grant permission for this article to be further copied/distributed or hosted elsewhere without the express permission from Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3300/3305
Subjects:
?? GLOBAL AND PLANETARY CHANGEDEVELOPMENTMANAGEMENT, MONITORING, POLICY AND LAWGEOGRAPHY, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ??
ID Code:
87082
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
17 Jul 2017 12:46
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
17 Sep 2023 02:06