Future Proofing Tasmanian Farms: On Farm Forums Supporting Climate Resilience

Preparing for climate challenges is an increasing priority for farmers across Tasmania. From water security and feed availability to maintaining healthy farm ecosystems, producers are being asked to plan for greater variability while continuing to run productive and sustainable farming businesses.

With funding support from the Tas Farm Innovation Hub, Tamar NRM was able to deliver a series of On‑Farm Forums focused on helping farmers develop practical, future‑focused strategies to build climate resilience.

About the On‑Farm Forum Series

The On-Farm Forum series was developed to share practical knowledge, local case studies, and access to expert advice across a range of climate‑related topics with Tasmanian farmers. The forums were delivered on working farms, and were designed to facilitate open, practical discussions focused on real on‑farm experience and local farming systems.

The series brought together farmers, industry professionals, educators, and regional partners, creating opportunities for peer‑to‑peer learning alongside technical input. To date, Tamar NRM has facilitated four On-Farm Forums, each focused on practical challenges and solutions relevant to Tasmanian farming businesses.

Collaborative Partnerships

The OnFarm Forum series was supported by a diverse range of partners and presenters who contributed technical expertise, regional knowledge, and industry perspectives to each event. Their involvement helped ensure forum discussions were practical, locally relevant, and aligned with the realities of Tasmanian farming systems.

The series included contributions from organisations such as Exeter High School Farm, West Tamar Landcare, Tas Farmers and Graziers, Tas Feed Stock, Ag Logic, Pinion Advisory, Tas Irrigation, TIA, and NRM North. Together, these partners provided a mix of educational, technical, and industry insight that complemented on‑farm learning.

Equally important were the host farmers and presenters including Tim Reed, Ian Dickenson, Nigel Russel, and Jamie Pullen, who welcomed us onto their properties and shared real‑world lessons from their own farming businesses. Their willingness to share experiences helped ground each forum in practical application and encouraged open, experience‑based discussion.

Tamar NRM thanks all host farmers, presenters, and partner organisations for their contribution to the OnFarm Forum series and for supporting meaningful, on‑ground learning opportunities for Tasmanian farmers.

Forum Topics Delivered

Across the four On‑Farm Forums, participants explored a range of practical topics designed to help Tasmanian farmers plan ahead and respond to a changing climate.

1.     Future Proofing for Climate Resilience - Water

Water security remains a critical issue for farms across Tasmania. This forum focused on future‑proofing farm water systems, exploring approaches to water planning, management, and decision‑making that can support productivity under increasingly variable conditions.

2.     Future Proofing for Climate Resilience - Livestock Nutrition

As climate variability continues to influence feed availability and quality, this session examined livestock nutrition strategies that can help producers adapt. Farmers and advisors shared insights into managing nutrition to support animal health, performance, and resilience in changing conditions.

3.     Future Proofing for Climate Resilience - Small Holders

Recognising that small‑scale producers face unique challenges, this forum provided tailored discussions for small holders. The session focused on practical, scalable approaches to building resilience, supporting participants to make informed decisions within the constraints of smaller operations.

4.     Future Proofing for Climate Resilience - Developing, Protecting and Enhancing On‑Farm Ecosystem Services

Healthy farm ecosystems play a vital role in long‑term resilience. This forum explored how on‑farm ecosystem services can be developed, protected, and enhanced, highlighting the connection between natural assets, farm productivity, and climate resilience.

On‑Farm Learning in Action

Hosting the forums on working farms allowed participants to engage directly with the topics being discussed, using real-world examples from the properties we visited. This setting encouraged informal, hands‑on conversations and gave farmers the opportunity to see how different approaches were being applied in practice.

Across the series, participants moved between paddock‑based discussions, walk‑and‑talk sessions, and group conversations, creating space for farmers to exchange experiences and explore how ideas might translate to their own businesses. Seeing infrastructure, management decisions, and landscape features firsthand prompted practical questions and observations.

By combining on‑farm settings with technical input and farmer experience, the forums supported meaningful knowledge exchange that reflected the diversity of Tasmanian farming systems and scales of operation.

Building Resilience Through Collaboration

Across the On-Farm Forum series, participants were encouraged to think beyond individual decisions and consider how different parts of their farming systems influence one another. This way of working supported more holistic conversations about planning, priorities, and trade‑offs within the realities of Tasmanian farming businesses.

By engaging with others facing similar challenges, farmers were able to reflect on their own approaches, test ideas, and consider alternative perspectives. These shared conversations helped reinforce the value of learning alongside peers when navigating uncertainty and change.

Through ongoing partnerships and farmer‑led engagement, the On-Farm Forums strengthened regional connections that support adaptive decision‑making over time. These networks play an important role in helping farming businesses respond to climate variability, both now and into the future.

Looking Ahead

The On-Farm Forum series demonstrated the value of locally delivered, farmer‑focused learning in supporting adaptive decision‑making across Tasmanian farming systems. Tamar NRM looks forward to continuing to work alongside farmers and regional partners to build on these conversations and support resilient, productive farms into the future.

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