The effect of future climate scenarios on the balance between productivity and greenhouse gas emissions from sheep grazing systems

Abstract

Maintaining the supply of pasture based meat products such as lamb is likely to be challenged by warmer and drier future climatic conditions across southern Australia, whilst also minimising greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of future climate scenarios on the balance between productivity and GHG emissions from sheep grazing systems. This study simulated sheep grazing systems at four sites that represented a range of climatic zones, soil and pasture types in southern Australia. This study used a biophysical and mechanistic whole farm system model (Sustainable Grazing Systems Pasture Model) to simulate the interactions between climate, soil properti..