Climate change is causing more extreme weather events, report says, as farmers feel the pinch

THIRD generation Harcourt farmer Katie Finlay says harvests have become more unpredictable over the 20 years she has worked her family’s land.

 RAIN, HAIL AND DROUGHT: Workers inspect a reservoir
during the Millennial Drought, one of many extreme
weather events a Harcourt farmer has been through
in the last 20 years.

“Dad had been through droughts, sure, but it’s the extremes,” she said.

“Not long after I got home (20 years ago) we went into the Millennial Drought. We’d never had anything like that. Since then, we’ve had the wettest year, the driest year, the biggest flood. It’s just ridiculous.”

Extreme weather was forcing farmers to change how they operated as new research forecasts the chaotic impact of climate change.

Read the story from the Bendigo Advertiser story by Tom O’Callaghan - “Climate change is causing more extreme weather events, report says, as farmers feel the pinch.”

South Australia's famed wine regions preparing for the squeeze of climate change

Wayne Farquhar bought his first Barossa Valley vineyard in the 1970s. He had a very practical reason for doing so.

Winemaker Wayne Farquhar inspects grapes in his Barossa Valley vineyard.

"I don't like drinking beer at all," Mr Farquhar said. "I grew up drinking wine and I wanted to make my own."

In his time he's seen growing conditions become more unpredictable.

It's reinforced his concern climate change may threaten some Barossa wine drinkers' favourite drops.

"We still have pockets of Chardonnay, we've got pockets of Riesling, we have Roussanne and Marsanne," Mr Farquhar said.

Read the ABC News story by Simon Royal - “South Australia's famed wine regions preparing for the squeeze of climate change.”