Adoption of proposed CRC research has the potential to
substantially increase cattle production in the savannas, doubling
turnoff in some regions
Net present value benefits of at least $180M are achievable from
improved pastoral production, comprising:
intensification ($58.9M),
bringing Indigenous-owned properties into production ($83.8M), and
realising production benefits from improved fire management
($36.7M) (Sources: Centre for International Economics, WA Dept. of
Agriculture, NT Dept. Primary Industry, Fisheries & Mines).
Ancillary benefits from improved fire management include reduced
costs in maintenance of infrastructure and expenditures on human
health, valued at $71M Net Present Value.
The CRC will achieve outcomes by working with the pastoral industry
to increase profitability while maintaining the health of the
natural resource base for sustained production. Research will
deliver knowledge for:
intensified use of resilient parts of the landscape;
strategies for improved production and risk management on multiple
properties;
bringing unproductive properties closer to their potential;
tools for monitoring and adaptive management of grazing lands; and
access to new, high-value niche markets through validation of
environmental credentials.
The CRC will work with industry and governments to improve
efficiency and utility of land condition monitoring. Monitoring
tools will inform adaptive management to sustain production, and
underpin industry credentials as responsible stewards of the
pastoral estate.
The key Tropical Savannas Futures CRC contribution to growth in the
pastoral industry, a central element of the savanna economy, will
be to demonstrate and foster production, profitability, and
environmental benefits from active and skilled management of the
distribution of grazing across the landscape and through time.
