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A lime recommendation scheme for established pastures on mineral soils is described. The scheme is based on a simple model, using soil pH, to estimate the size of pasture responses to lime at 3 rates of application (1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 t/ha), The estimated pasture production responses to lime are converted to increases in animal production, from which the potential economic benefits of Iiming are calculated. The limitations and accuracy of the model are discussed. The importance ofliming relative to fertiliser nutrient inputs is also discussed and, in particular, it is concluded that lime and fertiliser inputs should be assessed independently. Recommendations for the use of lime on organic soils are also presented.

Decision‐making in agriculture is carried out in an uncertain environment with farmers often seeking information to reduce risk. As a result of the extreme variability of rainfall and stream‐flows in north‐eastern Australia, water supplies for irrigated agriculture are a limiting factor and a source of risk. The present study examined the use of seasonal climate forecasting (SCF) when calculating planting areas for irrigated cotton in the northern Murray Darling Basin. Results show that minimising risk by adjusting plant areas in response to SCF can lead to significant gains in gross margin returns. However, how farmers respond to SCF is dependent on several other factors including irrigators’ attitude towards risk.

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