Tools
This page contains a range of tools and support models related to the Australian Grains Industry.
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Predictive Ocean Atmosphere Model for Australia (POAMA)
11.08.2009
The Predictive Ocean Atmosphere Model for Australia (POAMA) is a state-of-the-art seasonal to inter-annual seasonal forecast system based on a coupled ocean/ atmosphere model and ocean/atmosphere/land observation assimilation systems.
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National Farm Practices Database Survey
23.07.2007
A national database of farming practices is to being established to not only enable a comparative assessment of farming practices in regions but also to enable the Grains industry to more effectively report on the current state of the industry.
A capacity for grain producers to demonstrate their comparative ability in sustaining their natural resources has not been previously available apart from various pilot projects using paper based systems.
This project has developed a electronic internet and email reporting system based on a relatively simple set of fundamental farming information. This system allows any farmer to have an environmental assurance report produced for their farm with a minimum of time and trouble for them.
It also gives them valuable comparative information about how their own farming system compares to established district benchmarks and best practices. This system gives farmers information about their own farm productivity as well as its sustainability. -
HowOften?
19.07.2007
HowOften? is a Windows program that explores long-term rainfall records to find how frequently rainfall events occur. Some examples of applications include finding:
- How often planting opportunities occur
- If there were more wet harvests in the 1950's
- Seasonal rainfall fluctuations and value of SOI
- Comparisons between districts
- Risk associated with opportunity cropping
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HowWet?
19.07.2007
HowWet? is a Windows based program which uses farm rainfall records to estimate how much plant available water has been stored in the soil and the amount of organic nitrogen that has been converted to an available form during a fallow (non-crop period). HowWet? tracks daily evaporation, runoff and soil moisture using estimates of weather conditions and rainfall input by the user. Accumulation of available nitrogen in the soil is calculated based on soil moisture, temperature, soil type and age of cultivation
For more information: http://www.apsru.gov.au/apsru/Products/HowWet/how%20wet.htm
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HowMuch?
19.07.2007
HowMuch? has been designed to allow for exploration of a range of simple constructs of crop models which use concepts of water use efficiency (WUE) and transpiration use efficiency (TUE). Output is presented to enable the user to build up a picture of climate risk, and explore how this might be managed.
HowMuch? uses a simplified approach to yield prediction based on the French-Shultz model, but is flexible enough to allow for more complex model constructs.
It is an "open box" modelling environment in which growing season rainfall is adjusted by user defined weightings to compare the influence on yield of rainfall at various crop stages.
For more infomation: http://www.apsru.gov.au/apsru/Products/HowMuch/how%20much.htm
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APSoil
19.07.2007
APSoil is a database of soil water characteristics enabling estimation of Plant Available Water Capacity for individual soils and crops. It covers many cropping regions of Australia and is regularly updated. It is designed for use in simulation modelling and agronomic practice.
For more information: http://www.apsru.gov.au/apsru/Products/APSoil/default.HTM
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HowLeaky?
19.07.2007
What is HowLeaky?
Howleaky? is a simple, graphical interface to a daily water balance model. Its main purpose is to explore the effects of different vegetation (including crops, pastures and trees), climates, soil types and management on the water balance: evapotranspiration, runoff, and deep drainage. Erosion, sediment and pesticide movement are estimated. This leads to:- Better understanding of the implications of management on landscape processes.
- Better connection between science and community.
For more infomation: http://www.apsru.gov.au/apsru/Products/HowLeaky/howleaky2.htm
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AQUAMAN
06.07.2007
Irrigated peanuts have become the highest value rotational legume crop in high rainfall and irrigated production regions of Queensland. The yield potential of peanuts in high input irrigated systems is more than 8 t/ha with some fields returning commercial yields in the 6-7.5 t/ha range. However invariably, many growers are only realizing 4-5 t/ha. Lack of timely and adequate irrigation is a major contributor to this huge yield gap. Irrigating the crop at the right time with the right amount of water, together with the adoption of other important best management practices can help to consistently achieve high yields in the vicinity of 75% of potential. The management of irrigation water is critical to target high yields, better water use efficiency and good farm profits. All peanut production areas can benefit from better decision-making about water management.
To assist with the irrigation scheduling of peanuts, DPI&F are currently trialing a new decision support system called ’AQUAMAN’.For more information visit www.apsim.info/apsim/aquaman
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APSIM
06.07.2007
APSIM was developed to simulate biophysical processes in farming systems, particularly as it relates to the economic and ecological outcomes of management practices in the face of climate risk.
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MetAccess
04.07.2007
MetAccess is a computer tool developed by CSIRO Plant Industry for rapid analysis of historical weather data. The program gives users simple and flexible ways to quantify weather variability and assess the likelihood of weather events. Long term daily meteorological data are summarised in tables or graphs, to help the user assess and better manage the impact of weather in business, research and everyday life.
For more information visit http://www.grazplan.csiro.au/
