Growers and producers from the Mareeba region gathered to explore the use of climate forecasting tools to support on-farm decision-making. Growcom, in collaboration with Gulf Savannah NRM and the TNQ Drought Hub delivered the workshop with presenters from the Drought and Climate Adaptation Program, Climate Services for Agriculture, Rural Financial Counselling Service North Queensland and QRIDA.

The presenters discussed ways for the industry and community to prepare for dealing with extreme weather events using new forecasting tools, improving understanding of how to interpret forecasts and probability and use them for decision-making, and protecting businesses, crops and family with more confident decision-making and action using farm business resilience planning.

Growcom’s Resilience Manager Karen George remarked on how initiatives like Forewarned is Forearmed is designed to empower growers to make confident decisions.

“Every farm is different, but with the ability to interpret forecasting tools, knowledge and resources on resilience planning, individual growers can make the best decisions in protecting their crops and strengthening their farm against risk,” Karen said.