Agricultural landuse and productivity in New South Wales (NSW) is strongly correlated with climatic and edaphic conditions. Current mixed farming systems are the product of a variable but relatively stable climatic pattern. Predicted changes in future climatic patterns due to further anthropogenic forcing have the potential to challenge traditional mixed farming enterprises. This is particularly likely in the case of lower rainfall (<350 mm) cool growing season zones of the state which are already marginal at times. Objective assessments of the biophysical and economic responses of mixed farming systems are essential to informed decision making in relation to the potential impact, risk and the need or type of adaptations that may be needed.

Three representative case study farms in southern NSW Local Land Service regions were developed using CSIRO's AusFarm model (http://www.grazplan.csiro.au). Potential biophysical and economic impacts of variations in current and future climates from Global Climate Models were assessed. Anticipated adaptations to climate shifts and climatic variability includes adjustments to production system inputs, changes in crop maturing varieties, changes in livestock numbers, changes in pasture species, modifications of cropping rotations and sequences. The need and type of adaptive response varied considerably given differing soil characteristics and rainfall. Typically a series of incremental changes in response to seasonal variability enhanced the resilience of the system, but at some sites more systemic adaptation was required. Findings gained from the study are critical for furthering the research agenda associated with mixed farming systems in lower rainfall regions of NSW.