Drought and Exceptional Circumstances
Since 1994 the BRS has been conducting drought and EC evaluations for the National Rural Advisory Council. EC evaluations assist in the decision-making process for the provision of Australian Government assistance to farmers in circumstances that are beyond the scope of normal risk management.
Australia's National Drought Policy
BRS conducts and facilitates research and develops concepts relevant to the objectives of Australia's National Drought Policy. The objectives of the policy are to:
- encourage primary producers and other sections of rural Australia to adopt self-reliant approaches to managing the risks stemming from climatic variability
- maintain and protect Australia's agricultural and environmental resource base during periods of extreme climate stress, and
- ensure early recovery of agricultural and rural industries consistent with long-term sustainable levels.
In order to assist farmers to be more self-reliant, research is being undertaken throughout Australia aimed at improving long-range weather forecasting, drought monitoring, simulation modelling of changes in soil moisture and vegetation growth, and developing decision support systems for farmers and regional managers. Property Management Planning, including the use of risk management, is being used to aid farmers to be more self-reliant in developing and applying farm plans, strategies and tactics.
National Agricultural Monitoring System
The NAMS is a website containing climatic, agronomic and production information for Australian agriculture. The NAMS was developed to help provide a consistent, streamlined approach to EC (drought relief) process. This is achieved through the generation of reports using agreed data for EC applications, these reports provide the basis of the EC application, and interpretation and supporting information are provided by state/territory governments, local governments, communities and industry groups.