It follows the release of a major CSIRO report which indicates there are opportunities for farmers to respond profitably to climate change.

"Growers will have to utilise all the technology available to them, in particular Decision Support Systems," Mr Giles said.

"In an uncertain climate, this would ensure maximum returns and efficiency from both inputs and rainfall."

He was confident that South Australian farmers could cope with climate change.

"From the very beginning of farming in this country, growers and researchers have had to overcome the difficulties of an already dry climate," he said.

"They have done this through improvements in technology, the development of flexible and innovative systems and the constant improvement and assessment of new plant cultivars."

Looking to the future, Mr Giles said resource and water use efficiency would be critical in the years ahead.

"While this might come from the increased adoption of technologies such as precision agriculture and improvements in genetics, the relative size of farming enterprises may also play a part.

"We may also see a reduction in the forward selling of grain as season conditions become less predictable.

"Farmers will also have to more readily and openly rely upon the use of professionals (government and commercial) and continued investment of research and development within the industry."

From a scientific perspective, Mr Giles said that the industry had access to crop varieties and improved growing practices that would assist in cropping in a drier climate.

"The last two years have shown that good management and system flexibility can still deliver profits to farming enterprises in even the toughest of climatic conditions," Mr Giles said.

* Extract from Stock Journal, SA, July 3 issue.