A new collaborative project is underway to help provide producers with 'real time' decision making tools on their mobile phones and tablets.
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The project, funded by the Australian Government's National Landcare Program Smart Farming partnerships, will build on the existing South East Soil Moisture Probe Network which has been helping producers on the Monaro and Southern Tablelands make better production decisions since 2017.
CSIRO is a key partner in the project. Senior research scientist Patrick Mitchell is part of a team that is building a pasture forecast system to provide the 'real time' predictions of pasture and livestock conditions. Now, with good recent rainfall across the Monaro and parts of the Southern Tablelands, there is something to measure.
"The new system combines our latest advancements in climate forecasting, soils and livestock systems modelling to give farmers better predictions of future conditions at critical times during the year," Mr Mitchell said.
"The project forms part of CSIRO's digital agriculture initiative that is helping producers harness the current growth in digital innovations within Australian agriculture."
The increasingly volatile farming environment, climate and markets, means that twice-yearly forecasts are no longer sufficient for effective decision making.
Instant and reliable forecasting is required to ensure the long term profitability of farming enterprises and the management of the landscape for next generation agriculture.
"Due to the perceived change in weather patterns it is vital that farmers are able to avail themselves of the science and technical date from the soil probes," Crookwell farmer, John Klem said,
"This will enable them to make effective decisions on forecasting the amount of feed they can expect in the months ahead. The App will facilitate pasture management and stocking rates."
The app will tap into information from 20 soil moisture probes installed by The Monaro and Tablelands Farming Systems Groups and South East Local Land Services over the past two years. The network will be expanded to 25 probes. More info at soilmoistureprobes.com.au