National Coordinator Managing Climate Variability Program | 2023

Summary

The Managing Climate Variability (MCV) Program Phase 5 is a long-term partnership of Rural Research and Development Corporation (RDCs) formed to advise on and invest in the seasonal climate forecasting for Australian Agriculture.

This project enabled the appointment of a National Coordinator to work with the MCV partners to develop and implement an operational plan and evaluation plan for the Managing Climate Variability (MCV) Program Phase 5.

Objectives

The primary objective of the National Coordinator was to develop and implement an operational plan and evaluation plan for the Managing Climate Variability (MCV) Program Phase 5.

Key findings

The National Coordinator successfully achieved the primary objective of developing and implementing an operational plan and evaluation plan for the Managing Climate Variability (MCV) Program Phase 5.

Findings from the investments placed under MCV are released as part of the final reports published for each of the investments.

Benefits to industry

The actions of the National Coordinator enabled the following benefits to the industry:

• ongoing education (through extension and communication activities) of producers and their advisors on weather and seasonal climate forecasts through the Climate Kelpie website and CliMate website and App.
• the development of new R&D initiatives outside of MCV to develop extreme event forecasting products, namely the Forewarned is Forearmed Rural R&D for Profit Project
• research into specific issues furthering our weather and climate knowledge.

Future research

Future research, development and adoption activities required include:

• improving the understanding of weather and seasonal climate forecasts among producers (presently there are significant misinterpretation issues prevent correct interpretation of forecast information)
• developing / refining decision support packages that allow producers and their advisors to seamlessly apply seasonal climate forecasts to key farm management decisions
• the ongoing pursuit of improvements in the skill and use of seasonal climate forecasts.