Achieving drought resilience in the grazing lands of northern Australia: preparing, responding and recovering

Northern Australia is characterised by high rainfall variability and extended droughts that challenge sustainable profitable management of grazing properties. To achieve drought resilience, emphasis must be placed on supporting livestock managers to prepare for as well implementing appropriate response recovery actions. Here we describe insights learnings gained from working with scientists, industry development extension officers, property managers, enable more resilient extensive production systems across northern Australia. We provide examples the modelling analysis hypothetical properties representative enterprises drought, principally propose application farm-management economics framework identify investment strategies which can improve enterprise resilience through building wealth over longer term. The critical first step in preparedness beef businesses was implementation optimal herd structure, steer sale age, breeder body condition. Other key profitability were (1) addressing a phosphorus deficiency cattle effective supplementation (2) establishing adapted perennial legume-grass pastures nutrition. In addition, benefits closely gain adoption proven technologies effectively decision-making capacity systems. usefulness approach assess relative value alternative tactical destocking restocking decisions during also discussed. These latter analyses highlight important differences between options terms future profit cash flow, ability rapidly return most structure age turnoff, consideration financial risk. Additionally, integrating pasture growth models or flock economic into effects, sustainability, later Combined, support informed producers hence However, achieving lands will require preparation, addition action phases drought. Key this increasing enhance preparedness.