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Murray Darling Junction, Wentworth NSW. Hypervision Creative/Shutterstock

Recovering water for the environment in the Murray-Darling: farm upgrades increase water prices more than buybacks

Marking farms more water-efficient pushes up prices twice as much as buying water back.
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences farmpredict model finds that changes in climate conditions since 2000 have cut farm profits by 22% overall, and by 35% for cropping farms.. ABARES/Shutterstock

Climate change since 2000 has cut farm profits 22%

For crop farmers, the risk of low profit years has doubled.
The receding waters of Lake Pamamaroo, in western NSW, in February 2019. Reduced water supply, due to lower rainfall and higher temperatures, has been the main cause of increasing water prices. Dean Lewins/AAP

Drought and climate change are driving high water prices in the Murray-Darling Basin

High water prices in the Murray-Darling Basin are blamed on foreign investors and corporate speculators. The simple truth is they are caused mostly by lack of rain.
The receding waters of Lake Pamamaroo which makes up part of the Menindee Lakes system near the township of Menindee, Thursday, February 14, 2019. Dean Lewins/AAP

Droughts, extreme weather and empowered consumers mean tough choices for farmers

Australia’s farming industry will need to take full account of its obligations to its workers, its customers, society and the environment if it is to prosper in the years to 2030.

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