"Farmers are on the front lines of climate change in Australia."

So says independent, non-profit group Farmers for Climate Action who represent 7,000 farmers across Australia, and are committed to climate action for agriculture to battle what they see as the fragility of food security.

 "The Garnaut (Climate Change) Review into climate impacts on Australia found that there would be a 92-97 per cent decline in irrigated agriculture capacity along the Murray-Darling Basin by the end of century without significant global action on climate change. The Murray-Darling system provides 40 per cent of Australia’s food. Climate change threatens Australia’s capacity to feed ourselves and the nations which we export food to." the group states on its website.

And its mission is being embraced by many farmers including progressive thinking producers from the Western Plains who agreed to feature as a case study for climate action.

"We are responding to and preparing for extreme weather more and more often. It permeates into our short and long term decision making, and dictates priorities," said Jessica Murray who, with husband Thomas and family, farms Merino sheep and Rangeland goats for meat and fibre production at Trilby Station near Louth.

Along with these traditional farming sectors, the Murrays have also branched into diversified industries like carbon farming and agri-tourism.

"We are part of a multigenerational family-run property with Tom’s parents and brother," Ms Murray said. "Focussing predominantly on grazing livestock for meat and fibre production from a self-replacing Merino flock and semi-managed Rangeland goats.

"There are additional carbon projects, and a farm stay tourism venture that Tom’s mum runs - and is usually what people will recognise first when they hear we’re from Trilby. I have come from a background in education, and am discovering where I have transferable skills and the many areas I have to learn to contribute to the property. "

Ms Murray said her husband's family have been pastoralists in the district for over 150 years, and their passion and commitment to Western NSW Rangelands and the Merino sheep industry is a legacy she married into.

"I’ve lived in the property for seven years and in that short time have experienced the spectrum of extreme weather from unrelenting drought and dust storms to the recent floods that surrounded our home and cut us off for months. It's hard not to think about climate change when it is right there at your doorstep. And, since having our son our thoughts naturally turn to what future we are contributing to for him to carry on the family legacy if he wishes," she said.

Ms Murray said the family business has undertaken several strategies to adjust to climate change including aligning livestock management practices with seasonal conditions and adjusting Rangeland goat management practices from opportunistic to semi-managed as the breed is particularly well suited to the local landscape and changing conditions. She says environmental management of the property has been helped by local knowledge and history.

"Many practices my father-in-law does to look after the natural pastures are almost inherent to him from living and working in this landscape for so long," Ms Murray said. "Going further back, his great-grandfather had a special interest in caretaking the native plants and animals of the region and he documented well that there is much to be learned from the traditional caretakers of the land, the Baakantji people.

"I find natural pasture management a really interesting climate-smart strategy as there is such a wealth of history and knowledge base to learn from."

The NSW Government agrees climate change will affect agricultural production in NSW, with changing conditions potentially attracting new pests and diseases, and changing the areas that are suitable for farming.

Supported by an investment of $29.2 million from the NSW Climate Change Fund, the Department of Primary Industries invested in a project that could support the primary industries sector to adapt to climate change. The three key areas of focus are energy, carbon opportunities and climate resilience.

The Murray family are already all over these ideas.

"Carbon farming has provided a diversified income that supports on-farm projects to respond to and prepare for drought," Ms Murray said. "I see potential in this area for the data of our natural resource management to inform livestock management, improved overall production and sustainability metrics.

"I believe there will come a time when our carbon projects will be channeled towards neutralising our whole farm emissions, rather than generating income. On a small scale we use solar bores. But I see a lot of potential in the application of more renewable energy on farm and at a larger scale."

Ms Murray said one local grazier has, in the past four years, invested in solar across his farm to reduce his whole farm electricity bill by 70 per cent and generate an income from power going back into the grid.

"The barrier we face is being at the literal end of the power line for producing energy to go back into the grid – despite having ample space and resource," she said.

And if she could send a message about climate change to the Federal Government what would it be?

"Put simply – back your farmers. Australian agriculture could be leading climate change action internationally. With climate-smart knowledge and government funded initiatives, farmers will lead the way to a better future," Ms Murray said.