Researchers are helping producers adapt to change with industry-specific software.

Agri-Science Queensland researchers are helping producers adapt to change with industry-specific software. Researchers have developed a software package that is helping Queensland farmers plan for their future.

APSFarm was developed by the Agri-Science Queensland to improve the economic and environmental performance of farm businesses.

APSFarm is a whole-of-farm analysis software package that uses the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) model to show farm-business performance and its adaptability to changing external factors such as climate, markets and policy.

Changes in one aspect of the farm can affect performance and profitability, and make environmental impacts to the whole farm, which is not always obvious or easily understood when single enterprises are analysed in isolation.

The software is used mainly by researchers in participatory action research projects. In these projects the model is used to generate relevant quantitative information on the performance of the farm business to support discussions with the participating farmers, consultants and agribusinesses. The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) is applying APSFarm working in collaboration with mixed grain and grazing farmers from Central Queensland, Western Queensland, dry land cropping farmers from Central Queensland, and South East Queensland, and irrigated cotton growers from Southern Queensland, Darling Downs, Central Queensland and Northern New South Wales.

APSFarm can help farmers to integrate business opportunities and design more profitable and resilient farm businesses, to increase preparedness and adaptive capacity to the challenges of increased climate variability, market volatility and other socio-economic changes in regional Queensland.