Cotton Grains Cattle program - North Queensland cotton grains cattle farming systems - Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia

Summary

‘North Queensland cotton grains cattle farming systems’ is one of six projects in the Cotton, Grains, Cattle (CGC) program.

This project aims to co-design scalable diversification options and drought resilience practices for north Queensland cotton, grain and cattle enterprises, and quantify the economic, social and environmental values and risks of these options. Research is on farming systems to examine current farm resources, business performance, and establish information and tools needed for adoption.

Cotton Grains Cattle program: North Queensland farming systems

This project aims to co-design scalable diversification options and drought resilience practices for cotton, grain, and cattle enterprises in northern Queensland. It will also quantify the economic, social, and environmental values and risks associated with these options. Participatory, whole-farm systems research will examine: Current farm resources and business performance. Co-designed, time sensitive responses to drought and market volatility. Information and tools required for adoption of new practices. The impact of extreme climate events on productivity and sustainability. The level of climate information accuracy and timeliness required to deliver economic value. How climate variability influences the risk of not adopting available solutions. Whole-farm economic models assessing the value of on-farm produced grains and/or forage crops when integrated into cropping systems for cattle feed. Alignment of existing environmental stewardship frameworks with North Queensland mixed farming systems, agribusiness, and regional community development goals. Appropriate stewardship guidelines and self-assessment options to balance costs, legislation, social license and value chain demands and opportunities.