ABSTRACT
Austra l ian agriculture is dominated by small business. Agr i cu l tu re i s a signif -
icant cont r ibuto r t o th e Aust ra l ia n economy , p roduc in g 2 9 pe r cen t o f
exports. B o t h indust r y leader s an d governmen t recogniz e tha t far m bus i -
nesses must be flexible an d adaptable i n order to manage th e risks of the A u s -
tralian cl imat e and change s i n global markets , an d fo r Aust ra l ian agricultur e
to b e internat ional l y competi t ive. Farmers ar e be in g urge d t o acquir e n e w
skil ls i n order t o manag e change .