Climate and carbon
Dairy farm businesses in NSW operate in one of the most variable climates in the world. Producers are seeing impacts from an already changing climate on feedbase, animal welfare and productivity (such as the impact of heat stress), as well as water availability. Extremes in weather patterns can lead to drought, floods and bushfires, as well as encourage the spread of pests, weeds and diseases. Climate change impacts on dairy will be regionally specific and need to be managed to minimise associated climate business risks.
While also managing climate variability on farm, dairy production is a contributor to agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Dairying in Australia contributes approximately 1.6% of total national GHG emissions. The Australian dairy industry has made a commitment to minimise our environmental footprint, including reducing GHG intensity by 30% across the industry by 2030.
In 2022, NSW agriculture contributed about 18% of the state’s total GHG emissions, with livestock methane accounting for over 70% of agricultural emissions. The NSW Government aims to achieve a 50% reduction in emissions on 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. To help achieve these climate objectives, the Net Zero Plan Stage 1: 2020 – 2030 outlines how emissions will be reduced.
The DPIRD climate webpage offers a range of resources on seasonal conditions, emissions, ag tech, climate vulnerability assessments and energy.
Managing dairy greenhouse gas emissions
The Australian dairy industry is committed to reducing GHG emissions intensity. All dairy business owners and operators are encouraged to calculate and understand their farm carbon footprint to manage their on-farm emissions.
Dairy GHG emissions can be calculated with the Australian Dairy Carbon Calculator or through DairyBase.
Six key areas to reduce GHG emissions while improving farm efficiency include:
- On-farm energy use
- Managing nitrogen efficiency and fertilisers
- Dairy effluent management
- Managing livestock (enteric methane)
- Trees for farm health
- Healthy soils
More information on emissions reduction strategies can be found on the Dairy Australia webpage.
Support to understand your GHG can be accessed through the DPIRD On Farm Carbon Advice project, DPIRD Dairy Unit and Dairy Australia.
On-farm energy pilot dairy case study
A solar PV and thermal storage solution is helping two dairies, Boondabah Holsteins at Jones Island, and Manning Valley Dairy, Wingham, NSW, cool milk quicker and in turn improve milk quality.
Many farms in NSW are benefiting from improved energy use efficiency projects to reduce energy costs while reducing emissions.
Managing climate risk
There are range of resources to understand the impacts of climate change in your region and how to manage climate risks on farm.
Seasonal conditions
Visit the DPIRD seasonal conditions and drought website to access the latest seasonal information as well as climate services. This information will help prepare for, monitor and manage seasonal conditions.
Drought indicator map
You can monitor your local seasonal conditions using the interactive Combined Drought Indicator map and time series.
Heat stress map
The Northern Australia Cattle Program have an interactive mao showing upcoming Temperature Humidity Index's forecasted BOM information.
Climate Change and Dairy - online modules
This course will give you understanding of the climate science, risks and actions related to the dairy industry in Australia. The modules have been developed to address the challenge climate change poses to dairy farming but also to capitalise on the opportunities available.
- Climate Risks for Dairy – Explores the difference between weather and climate, some changes we’ve been observing the causes and what to expect with our future climate. It also covers the basics of climate risk, the process of managing it, climate extremes and how to assess climate risk impacts for your individual farm.
- Adapting to climate change – Understand climate impacts for dairy farming regions, and key adaptation options to manage climate change for your farm
- Dairy greenhouse gas emissions – Find out about the key sources of emissions from dairy farms, how to calculate your carbon footprint and the practical options to reduce emissions.
Dairy businesses for future climate
The Dairy Businesses for Future Climates (DBFC) project analysed how future climate conditions could impact dairy farms across the country, with dairy farm case studies from different regions across Australia. The work explored what on-farm system changes may best suit new climate conditions, comparing adaptation options available and the economic implications.
Some adaptation options dairy farmers have already taken to remain productive, sustainable, and profitable under climate change, include:
- Implementing long-term feed storages and carrying larger fodder reserves.
- Building infrastructure for feeding cows, such as sheds or feedpads, to reduce wastage.
- Increasing water use efficiency through better irrigation technology.
- Developing longer term management plans and planning for income variability.
- Increasing stock shade and shelter for extreme conditions.
- Using fans and sprinklers in sheds and yards.
Two dairy farm case studies were carried out in NSW which modelled the climate change impacts on farm and potential adaptation options.
- Mid-north coast NSW - Options to manage climate impacts in 2040 on farm were analysed to look at impact of heat stress and pasture production.
Watch this video of Mick and Paula Gray, from Rollands Plains and read their case study.
- Bega Valley NSW – Adaptation options were compared for a case study farm which specifically looked at the impacts of increasing water security on farm performance.
Watch this video of Toad Heffernan, from Bega Valley and read his case study (PDF, 879.82 KB).
Climate Vulnerability Assessment for dairy systems in NSW
Climate vulnerability assessments are currently being completed to understand the impacts of climate change to our industry and the impacts this may have on dairy production out to 2050. Information will be made available on the NSW DPIRD Climate website. Coming early 2025.
Climate risk assessment tool for dairy businesses
This risk assessment tool, created by Scibus as part of the Storm and Flood Industry Recovery Program, will help dairy farm businesses identify critical risks to assist in preparing for future natural disasters and improve business resilience. Coming in 2025.
