Perennial Pasture System (PPS) has an existing soil moisture and temperature probe network providing daily readings of soil conditions. These are currently presented as weekly graphs and in seasonal summaries of soil moisture availability. Agriculture Victoria has access to the CSIRO "Grass Gro" computer simulation program which
can predict pasture growth by combining various sources of information including soil moisture availability.
The project proposes to have analysis of predicted pasture growth conducted for the region using the above tools and getting it formatted into a easily understood visual format to assist farmer decision making in grazing systems in the variable climate conditions that are now part of the region's farming systems. Three regions are being used in the predictions & it is hoped that they will assist in providing trigger points for action in dry years and help with planning pasture management in average and above average spring rainfall seasons.
The project estimates are being collated by Jane Court; Agriculture Victoria & Dr Nathan Robinson; CeRDI, Federation University. PPS thanks them for their assistance with this project.
Thanks to soil probe hosts Matt Kindred, Rob Cooper & Tom Small for their comments.
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