Natural Disaster Events
Queensland agricultural industries are highly exposed to the variable and at-time extreme nature of the climate. In recent years, this has manifested itself in the full spectrum of possible ways.
The Queensland drought from 2001 to 2007 was the most severe and longest on record and it was responsible for an estimated 39,000 rural job losses. At its height, drought declarations covered 70% of the State and all of that area was exceptional circumstances, meaning a 1-in-20 year dry. About 2/3 of the State experienced six straight years of exceptional drought.
Subsequent La Nina years broke this drought. However, exceptionally high rainfall and storm patterns have created great challenges for the State’s farmers. Numerous flood events since then have caused damage and destruction to key commodities, industries, and individual farms. In addition, Cyclone Larry (2006) and Cyclone Yasi (2011) were among the most destructive cyclones that Queensland agriculture has witnessed. Both of these cyclone caused damage in Far North Queensland communities around Innisfail and the greater region. Click here for more information on flood and cyclone assistance information.
It is the nature of intensive farms – especially those that use irrigation – are nearby rivers to access fertile soils and water. Conversely, this means that floods from significant rainfall can pose a major risk. Farmers manage this risk as best they can, but events of the 2010-2011 demonstrated that some events, given their scale and scope, simply cannot be managed.
QFF estimates that 20,000 farms and farm families have been affected by one or more extreme weather events in the 2010-2011 fiscal year. At the end of the summer, virtually all of Queensland had been severely impacted by floods, storms, and cyclones and this adversely impacted every agricultural activity in the state, some to a greater degree than others.
A snapshot of some of the impacts includes:
- Dairy: 99 percent of farms effected and a cost to industry between $80-$100 million;
- Sugar cane: The poor 2010 harvest saw a loss of $498 million. The current harvest will also be severely impacted, as well as the 2012 rush if replanting is not completed;
- Cotton: Industry impact about $250 million, with individual farmer losses $1 million or higher in some instances.
- Horticulture: Cyclone Yasi is estimated to have caused up to $600 million in losses in FNQ, including three quarters of the banana crop.
QFF plays an important role in coordinating the response to natural disasters. The organisation also is a vital conduit of information in the overarching government response, and policy implications for farmers.