Adaptation of agricultural systems to climate change is essentially regional because ultimately it is a bottom up activity involving current landholders and regional stakeholders within the 'confines' of state and national policies. The role of the researcher in this activity is multifaceted and always interactive because while there is an initial phase of impact assessment this must quickly morph into adaptation research and strategy development. This can involve the development of new technology applicable to future climate challenges as well the application of existing technology in the adaptive management mode.

In Southern Australian the major challenge for climate change adaptation is future warmer and particularly drier climates where water is the major consideration whether it is in dryland or irrigated enterprises. We are currently undertaking a major National Water Commission funded research project in the Broken catchment of North Eastern Victoria, Farms Rivers and Markets. The project takes a regional integrated approach to the development of innovative approaches to generating higher returns from a diminishing water supply and it appears rainfall, while seeking to improve the aquatic and riparian environmental outcomes of the Broken River. The University of Melbourne's the 2500 hectare Dookie farm that fronts the Broken River and incorporates the major agricultural enterprises of the Southern Murray Darling Basin that is being as a commercial agricultural testbed for this FRM project. The project has a very active farmer, community and water management advisory groups which will be extended to other catchments in the MDB as the project develops.