PropertyWise Climate Change Report

Basic Property

Evaluation

"default property"

23/02/2012

Basic Property Evaluation for "default property"

1

Contents

List of Figures .......................................................................................................... 3

List of Tables ............................................................................................................ 4

1. Executive Summary ........................................................................................... 5

2. Introduction ........................................................................................................ 6

3. Location .............................................................................................................. 7

3.1. Locality ...................................................................................................................... 7

3.2. Proximity ................................................................................................................... 7

3.3. Topographic Map 1:250,000 ..................................................................................... 8

3.4. Landsat Image .......................................................................................................... 9

4. Property Details ............................................................................................... 10

4.1. Regional Property Characteristics ........................................................................ 10

5. Rural Commodities .......................................................................................... 11

5.1. Crops ....................................................................................................................... 11

5.2. Livestock ................................................................................................................. 14

6. Enterprise Scale and Financial Performance ................................................ 15

6.1. Regional Average Rural Enterprise ....................................................................... 15

7. Key Biophysical Parameters........................................................................... 16

7.1. Soils ......................................................................................................................... 16

8. Climate Charts ................................................................................................. 17

8.1. Rainfall .................................................................................................................... 17

8.2. Temperature ............................................................................................................ 21

8.3. Growing Degree Days ............................................................................................ 22

8.4. Frost Occurrence .................................................................................................... 23

8.5. Frozen Degree Days ............................................................................................... 24

8.6. Heat Stress .............................................................................................................. 25

9. Seasonality ....................................................................................................... 26

9.1. Autumn Break ......................................................................................................... 26

9.2. Spring Break ........................................................................................................... 26

9.3. Seasonal Temperature Extremes .......................................................................... 27

9.4. Soil Moisture ........................................................................................................... 28

10. Biomass Profile ............................................................................................ 31

10.1. Annual Biomass Profile........................................................................................ 31

10.2. Seasonal Biomass Profiles .................................................................................. 33


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11. Enterprise Productivity ................................................................................ 35

11.1. Crop Commodity Production ............................................................................... 35

11.2. Seasonal Climatic Conditions.............................................................................. 37

12. Enterprise Suitability & Productive Potential ............................................ 39

12.1. Seasonal Climate Productivity Rating ................................................................. 39

12.2. Crop Production Productivity Rating .................................................................. 39

13. Glossary ........................................................................................................ 40

14. Other Acronyms ........................................................................................... 41

15. References .................................................................................................... 42

16. Disclaimer ..................................................................................................... 43

17. Appendix 1 .................................................................................................... 44

17.1. Topographic Map Legend .................................................................................... 44


3

List of Figures

Figure 1: Topographic map ................................................................................................... 8

Figure 2: Landsat image ....................................................................................................... 9

Figure 3: LGA Wheat area and production .......................................................................... 12

Figure 4: LGA Canola area and production ......................................................................... 12

Figure 5: LGA Safflower area and production ..................................................................... 13

Figure 6: LGA Sorghum area and production ...................................................................... 13

Figure 7: Annual rainfall ...................................................................................................... 17

Figure 8: Annual raindays ................................................................................................... 18

Figure 9: Annual rainfall per rainday .................................................................................... 18

Figure 10: Annual winter rainfall .......................................................................................... 19

Figure 11: Annual summer rainfall....................................................................................... 19

Figure 12: Monthly rainfall ................................................................................................... 20

Figure 13: Long-term rainfall forecast .................................................................................. 20

Figure 14: Monthly temperature analysis ............................................................................. 21

Figure 15: Monthly temperature rate of change ................................................................... 21

Figure 16: Annual growing degree days .............................................................................. 22

Figure 17: Monthly growing degree days rate of change ..................................................... 22

Figure 18: Annual frost days ............................................................................................... 23

Figure 19: Monthly frost days rate of change ...................................................................... 23

Figure 20: Annual frozen degree days ................................................................................ 24

Figure 21: Monthly frozen degree days rate of change ........................................................ 24

Figure 22: Annual heat stress ............................................................................................. 25

Figure 23: Monthly heat stress rate of change .................................................................... 25

Figure 24: Autumn day of break .......................................................................................... 26

Figure 25: Spring day of break ............................................................................................ 26

Figure 26: Day of first and last heat stress .......................................................................... 27

Figure 27: Day of first and last frost ..................................................................................... 27

Figure 28: Historical plant available soil moisture ................................................................ 28

Figure 29: Historical May soil moisture ................................................................................ 29

Figure 30: Historical October soil moisture .......................................................................... 29

Figure 31: Monthly soil moisture rate of change .................................................................. 30

Figure 32: Annual biomass profiles ..................................................................................... 32

Figure 33: Winter crop biomass profiles .............................................................................. 33

Figure 34: Summer crop biomass profiles ........................................................................... 34

Figure 35: Winter cropping productive potential .................................................................. 36

Figure 36: Summer cropping productive potential ............................................................... 36

Figure 37: Winter climate productive potential ..................................................................... 38

Figure 38: Summer climate productive potential .................................................................. 38


4

List of Tables

Table 1: Locality .................................................................................................................... 7

Table 2: Proximity ................................................................................................................. 7

Table 3: Regional property characteristicsRural Commodities ............................................ 10

Table 4: Crop production statistics ...................................................................................... 11

Table 5: Livestock statistics................................................................................................. 14

Table 6: Average rural enterprise ........................................................................................ 15

Table 7: Soil characteristics ................................................................................................ 16

Table 8: Soil moisture agronomic thresholds ....................................................................... 28

Table 9: Commodity variability and productivity ................................................................... 35

Table 10: Seasonal climate conditions ................................................................................ 37

Table 11: Seasonal climate productivity rating .................................................................... 39

Table 12: Crop production productivity rating ...................................................................... 39


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1. Executive Summary

This PropertyWise report for the "default property" property in the Lockhart (A) Local

Government Area (LGA) of New South Wales provides an analysis and evaluation of historic

climate, production and satellite biometric data. Methods used to analyse the data include

trends, annual rate of change, variability, productivity rating, departure from median and

percentiles ranked against all other Local Government Areas within Australia.

The results from the data analysis show that the Winter season has the highest productivity

rating for crop and pasture production and Wheat is the safest crop to grow. Alternatively the

safest crop for the Summer season is Safflower.

The productive potential indicators for "default property" are;

Seasonal Climate Productivity Rating*

Season Productivity Rating Major Contributing Factor

Winter 0.48 Low rainfall rate of change

Summer 0.32 High growing degree days rate of change

Crop Production Productivity Rating

Crop Name Productivity Rating Major Contributing Factor

Winter

Wheat 0.69 High area rate of change

Canola 0.69 High area rate of change

Barley 0.57 Low area variability

Summer

Safflower 0.51 High area rate of change

Sorghum 0.47 High area variability


6

2. Introduction

This report was compiled on a commercial fee-for-service basis at the request of Michael

Pengilley to facilitate the evaluation of "default property" and its potential value as a viable

and productive rural enterprise. The report uses a standardised format incorporating maps,

tables and innovative graphics to compare the biophysical settings, productive history and

prevailing circumstances of "default property" with other rural enterprises within the Lockhart

(A) Local Government Area (LGA). By way of summary, the report:

Identifies the relevant administrative, physical, biophysical, climatic, production and

logistics region within which "default property" is located;

Establishes the proximity of "default property" to the nearest town, regional centre

and the distance to significant infrastructure facilities with high agricultural

significance;

Incorporates a 1:250,000 scale topographic map and a 25m resolution Landsat

image

Compares the size and extent of "default property" to that of all other rural properties

in the Lockhart (A) LGA;

Summarises the area, yield, production and commodity value of major winter and

summer crops, sheep, beef and dairy cattle enterprises within the Lockhart (A) LGA;

Characterises the rate of change in area and production, yield variability and

productive potential for major winter and summer crops within the Lockhart (A) LGA;

Provides key metrics in relation to the scale and financial performance of rural

enterprises within the Lockhart (A) LGA;

Examines the timing, magnitude, seasonality and future trends of key climatic

parameters likely to affect productive potential on "default property": including rainfall,

temperature, frost occurrence, heat stress, growing and frozen degree days;

Assesses the adequacy of plant available soil moisture and resulting impact on

seasonal biomass accumulation for cropping and grazing;

Reviews the cropping and pasture program on "default property" over the last 10

years;

Profiles growing season conditions, biomass profiles and productive potential of

winter and summer crops over the last 10 years;

Evaluates the impact on productive potential of variations in the timing, duration and

prevailing seasonal conditions during planting and flowering windows, biomass

accumulation, senescence and growing season phases of cropping on "default

property"; and

Identifies key production factors likely to determine enterprise suitability and

productive potential of "default property".


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3. Location

The tables below describe the locality and proximity details of "default property".

3.1. Locality

Feature Description

Administrative State/Territory New South Wales

Statistical Division (SD) Murrumbidgee

Local Government Area (LGA) Lockhart (A)

Physical Drainage Division Murray-Darling

Catchment Murrumbidgee

Sub-Catchment Murrumbidgee River

Biophysical Natural Resource Management Region Murrumbidgee

Natural Resource Management Body Murrumbidgee CMA

Bioregion NSW South Western Slopes

Sub-Bioregion Lower Slopes

GRDC Ecological Zone NSW VIC Slopes

Climate Climate Zone Class 1 Temperate

Climate Zone Class 2 No Dry Season (Hot Summer)

Production ABARES Agricultural Region Riverina (NSW)

Logistics Grain & Fertiliser Port Zone Melbourne

Wheat Receival Zone Southern NSW Wheat Class Zone

Livestock Port Zone Devonport

Table 1: Locality

3.2. Proximity

Feature Name Distance (km)

Nearest Town The Rock, NSW, 2655 6.5 km

Nearest Regional Centre Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2650 35 km

Nearest Highway Olympic Highway

Nearest Nature Reserve The Rock Nature Reserve

Nearest Railway Station Collingullie, NSW, 2652 15.9 km

Nearest Airport Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2651 45.8 km

Nearest Grain Handling Site The Rock

Nearest Major River Murrumbidgee River

Table 2: Proximity


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3.3. Topographic Map 1:250,000

Figure 1: Topographic map

© Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia) 2005. The map legend can be found in Appendix 1. "default property" is located at the centre of the map at co-ordinates 147.09° and -35.21° decimal degrees. The map depicts an area of approximately 1,891km2 (61km E-W by 31km N-S).


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3.4. Landsat Image

Figure 2: Landsat image

© Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency) 2010. Landsat imagery at 25m pixel resolution acquired during 2009-2010, depicted in pseudo-natural colours. "default property" is located at the centre of the map at co-ordinates 147.09° and -35.21° in decimal degrees.


10

4. Property Details

The Property Size and Regional Property Characteristics tables display paddock size and

characteristics of the rural land holdings for the Lockhart (A) Local Government Area (LGA)

which "default property" is located within.

4.1. Regional Property Characteristics

Rural Land Holdings Value Rate of Change p.a.

State Rank

National Rank

Total area of land within LGA 288,535 ha - 74th 262nd

Total area of rural holdings 278,418 ha 718.15 ha 50th 192nd

Total cropped area 146,264 ha 2,971.81 ha 14th 62nd

Total grazing area 112,706 ha -2,423.14 ha 68th 222nd

Area of rural holdings as % of LGA 96.5 % 0.25 % 18th 78th

Area of crop as % of rural holdings 50.7 % 1.03 % 3rd 30th

Number of rural landholders 321 -2.04 66th 162nd

Average size of rural holdings 883.13 ha 10.54 ha 43rd 216th

Average cropped area per holding 560.31 ha 21.46 ha 23rd 108th

Table 3: Regional property characteristicsRural Commodities


11

5. Rural Commodities

5.1. Crops The Crop Production Statistics table displays the production statistics for the Lockhart (A)

LGA based on the last 10 years of production. Each crop is ranked against all 363 LGA’s

which fall within the Australian cropping belt.

Crop Production Statistics in the Lockhart (A) LGA

Crop Type

Producers

(rank)

Trended Area (ha)

(rank)

Trended Yield (t/ha) (rank)

Trended Production

(t) (rank)

Trended Value of Commodity

($) (rank)

Winter Crops

Wheat 223 (27th)

82,529 (50th)

2.20 (127th)

157,879 (41st)

$30,016,731 (58th)

Canola 259 (2nd)

38,093 (5th)

0.97 (209th)

32,101 (8th)

$6,362,197 (28th)

Barley 58 (95th)

13,401 (94th)

1.82 (182nd)

23,770 (91st)

$4,471,382 (110th)

Triticale 165 (4th)

12,687 (6th)

2.15 (96th)

26,386 (3rd)

$1,894,539 (8th)

Summer Crops

Safflower 3 (18th)

179 (29th)

0.32 (98th)

69 (37th)

$- (100th)

Sorghum 1 (49th)

75 (81st)

2.89 (73rd)

198 (73rd)

$28,951 (59th)

Table 4: Crop production statistics


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LGA Area & Production Charts

The following charts display the two most significant winter crops in the Lockhart (A) LGA

and are compared against the area and production for all LGA’s in the Australian cropping

belt.

Figure 3: LGA Wheat area and production

Figure 4: LGA Canola area and production


13

The following charts display the two most significant summer crops in the Lockhart (A) LGA

and are compared against the area and production for all LGA’s in the Australian cropping

belt.

Figure 5: LGA Safflower area and production

Figure 6: LGA Sorghum area and production


14

5.2. Livestock The Livestock Statistics table below displays the Lockhart (A) LGA statistics for three of the

major livestock classes in Australia. Each livestock class and parameter is ranked against all

LGA’s within Australia.

Livestock Statistics for the Lockhart (A) LGA

Livestock Class

Trended Total Head (rank)

Number of Grazing

Properties (rank)

Average Head per Property

(rank)

Average Area per Property

(ha) (rank)

Slaughter Commodity

Value (rank)

By-Product Commodity

Value (rank)

Beef 13,821 (238

th)

108 (176

th)

110 (314

th)

1,045.16 (219

th)

$3,884,260 (264

th)

-

Dairy 137 (216

th)

16 (160

th)

43 (231

st)

7,253.21 (121

st)

- $61,959 (233

rd)

Sheep 336,286 (78

th)

250 (42

nd)

1,353 (212

th)

451.05 (345

th)

$7,471,603 (103

rd)

$7,913,631 (81

st)

Table 5: Livestock statistics


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6. Enterprise Scale and Financial Performance

The Average Rural Enterprise table below displays the statistics of an average property in

the Lockhart (A) LGA.

6.1. Regional Average Rural Enterprise

Crop Type Area (ha)

Yield (t/ha)

Production (tonnes) Commodity Values($)

Winter Crops

Wheat 370 2.20 707 $134,405

Canola 147 0.97 124 $24,585

Barley 229 1.82 407 $76,508

Triticale 77 2.15 160 $11,503

Summer Crops

Safflower 53 0.32 21 $-

Sorghum 54 2.89 142 $20,770

Livestock Class Head Slaughter Value By-Product Value

Beef 110 $36,020 -

Dairy 43 - $3,987

Sheep 1,353 $29,901 $31,670

Table 6: Average rural enterprise


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7. Key Biophysical Parameters

7.1. Soils

Parameter Value

Australian Soils Classification Sodosol

Greater Soil Group Solodized Solonetz and Solodic Soils; some Soloths and Red-brown Earths; Desert Loams

A Horizon Texture Loams

B Horizon Texture Clays

Dominant Regolith Class highly weathered bedrock

Regolith Description Alluvial clay,silt,sand & gravel. Black & red highly plastic & expanding clay soils. Thick colluvial wedges in hilly slopes to plains. Alluvium up to 30 m thick

Physiographic Name Hume Slopes

Physiographic Material Highly weathered bedrock (> 50%), moderately weathered bedrock (< 20%) , alluvial sediments (< 20%)

Table 7: Soil characteristics


17

8. Climate Charts

The following Climate Charts section utilises a 1km resolution climatic dataset taken from the

centre of the property for each indicative climatic parameter back to 1955.

8.1. Rainfall Historical annual rainfall totals displayed as a departure from the median and rainfall rate of

change per annum.

Figure 7: Annual rainfall


18

Historical annual total of rain days displayed as a departure from the median and rain days

rate of change per annum

Figure 8: Annual raindays

Historical annual rainfall per rain day displayed as a departure from the median and rainfall

per rain day rate of change per annum

Figure 9: Annual rainfall per rainday


19

Historical annual autumn and winter rainfall totals displayed as a departure from the median

and autumn and winter rainfall totals rate of change per annum

Figure 10: Annual winter rainfall

Historical annual spring and summer rainfall totals displayed as a departure from the median

and spring and summer rainfall totals rate of change per annum

Figure 11: Annual summer rainfall


20

Historical average monthly rainfall totals and monthly rainfall totals rate of change per annum

Figure 12: Monthly rainfall

Long term rainfall forecast based on Global Climate Models (GCM) that have been published

in scientific literature and incorporated into CSIRO’s OzClim forecasting system. Three

models representing wet, moderate and dry scenarios have been selected.

Figure 13: Long-term rainfall forecast


21

8.2. Temperature Historical mean monthly temperature variation

Figure 14: Monthly temperature analysis

Historical mean monthly temperature rate of change per annum

Figure 15: Monthly temperature rate of change


22

8.3. Growing Degree Days Historical annual growing degree day totals displayed as a departure from the median and

growing degree day totals rate of change per annum. The base temperature used to

calculate GDD is 0°C.

Figure 16: Annual growing degree days

Historical average monthly growing degree day totals and monthly growing degree day totals


Figure 17: Monthly growing degree days rate of change


23

8.4. Frost Occurrence Historical annual frost day totals displayed as a departure from the median and frost day

totals rate of change per annum

Figure 18: Annual frost days

Historical average monthly frost day totals and monthly frost day totals rate of change per

annum

Figure 19: Monthly frost days rate of change


24

8.5. Frozen Degree Days Historical annual frozen degree day totals displayed as a departure from the median and

frozen degree day totals rate of change per annum

Figure 20: Annual frozen degree days

Historical average monthly frozen degree day totals and monthly frozen degree day totals


Figure 21: Monthly frozen degree days rate of change


25

8.6. Heat Stress Historical annual heat stress days ≥30°C totals displayed as a departure from the median

and heat stress days totals rate of change per annum

Figure 22: Annual heat stress

Historical average monthly heat stress days ≥30°C totals and monthly heat stress days totals


Figure 23: Monthly heat stress rate of change


26

9. Seasonality

9.1. Autumn Break Historical autumn day of break and rate of change per annum. Displays day of year when

≥15mm rainfall fell within a 10 day period between 1st April and 31st June.

Figure 24: Autumn day of break

9.2. Spring Break Historical spring day of break and rate of change per annum. Displays day of year when

≥15mm rainfall fell within a 10 day period between 21st October and 10th December.

Figure 25: Spring day of break


27

9.3. Seasonal Temperature Extremes Historical annual first and last heat stress day ≥30°C and rate of change per annum

Figure 26: Day of first and last heat stress

Historical annual first and last frost day and rate of change per annum

Figure 27: Day of first and last frost


28

9.4. Soil Moisture

Soil Moisture Agronomic Thresholds

Parameter Property Average

Average Plant Available Water Capacity (PAWC) 84mm

Average Readily Available Water (RAW) 46mm

Average Soil Rooting Depth 105mm

Average Plant Available Water mid-May 32mm

Average Plant Available Water mid-October 26mm

Table 8: Soil moisture agronomic thresholds

Historical Soil Moisture Status

Historical daily soil moisture variability and soil moisture rate of change per annum

Figure 28: Historical plant available soil moisture


29

Winter Season Soil Moisture Indicator

Annual average May soil moisture displayed as departure from the median and May average

soil moisture rate of change per annum

Figure 29: Historical May soil moisture

Summer Season Soil Moisture Indicator

Annual average October soil moisture displayed as departure from the median and October

average soil moisture rate of change per annum

Figure 30: Historical October soil moisture


30

Monthly Median Soil Moisture

Historical median monthly soil moisture and monthly soil moisture rate of change per annum

Figure 31: Monthly soil moisture rate of change


31

10. Biomass Profile

10.1. Annual Biomass Profile The following graphs depict seasonal conditions and biomass regimes, using moderate resolution satellite imagery (LP DAAC, 2011), that characterise the location using a 10-day (decadal) time step average from each year back to 2001. It represents a starting point for assessing the overall productive potential. It is also a guide to operational management opportunities and constraints.


32

Figure 32: Annual biomass profiles


33

10.2. Seasonal Biomass Profiles The following Seasonal Biomass Profile section contains biomass charts for your location. The charts display the winter and summer crop

biomass from moderate resolution satellite imagery (LP DAAC, 2011) averaged from each year since 2001 when a crop had been grown. All

charts display average rainfall, frost and heat stress probability, sowing and flowering window.

Figure 33: Winter crop biomass profiles


34

Figure 34: Summer crop biomass profiles


35

11. Enterprise Productivity

11.1. Crop Commodity Production

Commodity Variability & Productivity Rating for Lockhart (A) LGA

Crop Type

Area Yield Production Annual

Productivity Rating

(%)

Trend (ha)

Rate of Change (ha/p.a.)

Variability Trend (kg/ha)

Rate of Change

(kg/ha/p.a.)

Variability Trend Rate of Change (t/p.a.)

Variability

Winter

Wheat 82,529 1,978 0.42 2.20 0.00 0.40 157,879 3,189.3 0.51 50.44

Canola 38,093 1,632 0.90 0.97 -0.01 0.47 32,101 1,205.7 0.99 61.27

Barley 13,401 -17 0.24 1.82 0.01 0.40 23,770 75.4 0.43 86.83

Summer

Safflower 179 15 1.84 0.32 -0.05 0.39 69 5.0 1.58 53.57

Sorghum 75 3 1.27 2.89 -0.01 0.46 198 7.6 1.27 52.79

Table 9: Commodity variability and productivity


36

Cropping Profile Charts

The winter and summer crop profile charts below shows statistics for cropped area, yield and

production normalised to between 0-1, the higher the value the greater the productive

potential.

Figure 35: Winter cropping productive potential

Figure 36: Summer cropping productive potential


37

11.2. Seasonal Climatic Conditions The Seasonal Climatic Conditions table displays a statistical analysis of three indicative climatic parameters. Each climatic parameter is

analysed through the summer and winter growing seasons to calculate an overall productive potential rating. The LGA which "default property"

falls within is displayed for reference.

Season

Growing Season Rainfall Growing Degree Days Soil Moisture Season Productive

Potential Rating

Trend (mm)

Rate of Change

(mm/p.a.)

Variability Trend (°C)

Rate of Change (°C/p.a.)

Variability Trend (mm)

Rate of Change

(mm/p.a.)

Variability

"default property"

Winter 295 -1.50 0.28 2,516 1.67 0.04 49 0.09 0.28 0.48

Summer 207 0.25 0.38 3,368 2.91 0.05 47 0.99 0.60 0.32

Lockhart (A)

Winter 274 -2.17 0.30 2,507 1.32 0.04 45 0.03 0.28 0.45

Summer 199 0.06 0.40 3,346 2.37 0.04 44 0.98 0.63 0.29

Table 10: Seasonal climate conditions


38

Climate Profile Chart

The winter and summer climate profile charts below shows statistics for growing season

rainfall (GSR), growing degree days (GDD) and soil moisture (SM) normalised to 0-1, the

higher the value the greater the productive potential.

Figure 37: Winter climate productive potential

Figure 38: Summer climate productive potential


39

12. Enterprise Suitability & Productive Potential

The following enterprise suitability and production profile of "default property" has been

generated by quantifying metrics of four primary enterprise productivity factors.

12.1. Seasonal Climate Productivity Rating

Season Productivity Rating Major Contributing Factor

Winter 0.48 Low rainfall rate of change

Summer 0.32 High growing degree days rate of change

Table 11: Seasonal climate productivity rating

12.2. Crop Production Productivity Rating

LGA Crop Productivity Rating Major Contributing Factor

Winter

Wheat 0.69 High area rate of change

Canola 0.69 High area rate of change

Barley 0.57 Low area variability

Summer

Safflower 0.51 High area rate of change

Sorghum 0.47 High area variability

Table 12: Crop production productivity rating


40

13. Glossary

Term Definition Australian Soil Classification (ASC) System to characterise soils by material and principal profile

Average The sum of a data set divided by the number of observations

Biomass Total volume of plant matter generated by a crop or pasture

Biometry Predictive use of diagnostic bio-statistical measurements

Biophysical Information about the physical basis of biological systems

Bioregion Unique association of terrain, soils, climate, flora and fauna

Coefficient of Variance (CV) The CV is the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean

Commodity Value The value placed on recorded commodity production at the wholesale prices in the market place

Day of Break First time in a calendar year that daily rainfall >15 mm

Decadal Ten day period at the start, middle or end of a calendar month

Digital Elevation Model (DEM) Grid of spot heights used to profile elevation, slope and aspect

Flowering Window The ideal period during the year for crops to flower based on frost and heat stress probability

Frost Occurrence Accumulated days when minimum temperature <0oC

Frozen Degree Days (FDD) Sum of daily minimum temperatures that are <0oC

Global Climate Model (GCM) A mathematical model of the general circulation of a planetary atmosphere or ocean

GRDC Ecological Zone Discrete biophysical regions across the Australian cropping belt

Green Up Period during growing season between sowing and flowering

Growing Degree Days (GDD) Sum of average daily temperatures >0oC during any period

Growing Season Period between sowing and harvest of a crop

Heat Stress (HS) Accumulated days when max temperature >30oC or >35

oC

Landsat US family of satellites for capturing remote sensing imagery

Local Government Area (LGA) Shire, Municipality or Council for local administration of land

Mean Arithmetic average of a data series

Median The middle value in a ranked series of data

Metrics Parameters or measures of quantitative assessment used for measurement, comparison or to track performance

Natural Resource Management (NRM) Coherent region of Australia for environmental protection

Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)

Satellite derived measure of greenness/chlorophyll reflectance on a scale >-1 to <1

Peak Biomass Amount and time of seasonal crop or pasture biomass maxima

Physiographic Relationship between physical process, pattern and landscape

Plant Available Water (PAW) Measure of soil moisture which is available to plants (mm)

Plant Available Water Capacity (PAWC) Total plant available soil moisture when soil is at field capacity (mm)

Planting Window The ideal period during the year to sow based on frost and heat stress probability

Productive Potential Rating Productivity or profitability scaled from 0 (low) to 100 (high)

Rate of Change Difference in magnitude or direction of a parameter over time

Readily Available Water (RAW) The portion of the PAWC instantly available to plants

Reference Biomass Background level of biomass reflectance in a bare ground scenario

Regolith Weathered material, including soil, that overlies bedrock

Rooting Depth Maximum depth of soil that plant roots can potentially explore

Senescence Period of time in a plant between flowering and maturity

Slope Difference in magnitude or direction of a parameter over time

Sowing Window Period when heat stress and frost risk probability is <20%

Statistical District (SD) Intermediate statistical region for ABS commodity data

Statistical Local Area (SLA) Smallest statistical region that ABS publishes commodity data

Topographic Shape and position of surface features within the landscape

Trend The current value of a linear trend line

Variability Year to year or season to season changes in magnitude


41

14. Other Acronyms

Acronym Description ABARES Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics and Sciences

ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics

AMSL Above Mean Sea Level

BOM Bureau of Meteorology

CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

GRDC Grains Research and Development Corporation

MODIS Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer

USGS United States Geological Survey


42

15. References

Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (2010) Continental Landsat

Mosaic 2010.

Distributed under Creative Commons Licence

(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/)

© Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Climate Change and

Energy Efficiency) 2010

Geoscience Australia 2005. TOPO-250K RASTER, 1:250,000 scale raster data

(DVD). Geoscience Australia: Canberra.

This Topographic Map 1:250,000 incorporates Data which is

© Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia) 2005

The Data has been used in Topographic Map 1:250,000 with the permission of the

Commonwealth. The Commonwealth has not evaluated the Data as altered and

incorporated within Topographic Map 1:250,000, and therefore gives no warranty

regarding its accuracy, completeness, currency or suitability for any particular

purpose.

Geoscience Australia (2008) GEODATA 9 Second DEM Version 3 (data displayed

has been resampled to 3 Second DEM (90m))

Distributed under Creative Commons Licence

(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/)

© Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia) 2008

NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC). MODIS

(MOD09GQ). USGS/Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center,

Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 2011.


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44

17. Appendix 1

17.1. Topographic Map Legend

Documents

PropertyWise Climate Change Report