Innovative workshops to improve understanding of price and climate variability

Kingwell, R Dr; Ph: (08) 9380 2514; Fax: (08) 9380 1098; rkingwell@agric.wa.gov.au

Research organisation: University of Western Australia, School of Agriculture, Nedlands WA 6907

Sponsor: LWRRDC, Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation

Objectives:

1. to promote among those serving farmers a better appreciation of the impact of price and climate variability upon farm management, the nature and value of seasonal forecasts and farmers' adoption of innovations.

2. to promote among farmers a better appreciation of the role of tactical and strategic decision-making regarding price and climate risk and the difficulties of assessing the profitability of innovations.

Methodology: run regional workshops that utilise a computer-based farm management game that incorporates price and climatic variability.

Progress: Software being amended to incorporate latest Bureau of Meteorology findings concerning climate prediction. Workshops are being planned for early 1999.

Period: starting date 1998-10; completion date 2000-6

Status: commenced

Keywords: farm management, climate risk, price risk, training

Publications:

Stewart, V., Abadi, A. and Kingwell, R. (1996). Teaching on risk and adoption of rural innovations: A role for simulation games? Contributed paper to the 40th Annual Conference of the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, February 11-16, 1996.

Stewart, V., Abadi, A. and Kingwell, R. (1996). Teaching on risk and adoption of rural innovations: A role for simulation games? Contributed paper to the Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia annual conference, University of Western Australia, Perth, July 8-12, 1996.