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Developed with leading beef and sheep producers by MLA and the Bureau of Rural Sciences
(BRS), the Rainfall to Pasture Growth Outlook tool shows actual rainfall and indices of soil
moisture and pasture growth for the past nine months and an outlook for the next three months
for more than 3,300 locations across southern Australia. More importantly (because the Outlook
tool has little or no predictive power), the tools displays median pasture growth indices for each
week of the year based on historical rainfall and temperature records and the variation about that
median point for each week of the year. The curves that result essentially show the pattern of
pasture growth for a ‘moderate’ year, as compared to an ‘excellent’ or very poor year.
To create your free account and start using the Rainfall to Pasture Growth Outlook tool, follow
the instructions below:
1. Create an account
Go to the website: www.mla.com.au/growthoutlooktool/
Go to the Rainfall to Pasture Growth Outlook tool and select the ‘create account’ button.
Everyone, including MLA members, needs to create an account. You cannot login automatically
using your MLA login.
2. Getting started
Once you’re logged in, go to ‘Getting Started’ to find out more about what this tool can do and
how you can make the most of the rainfall, soil moisture and pasture growth outlook graphs
available.
How the tool can help
The Rainfall to Pasture Growth Outlook tool takes the guess-work out of strategically planning
the least risky time periods for a number of very important decisions, including:
- What classes of stock should I have on the property at different times of year?
- When should I be lambing?
- When should I wean?
- When should I aim to sell - lambs or surplus sheep?
- What pasture growth patterns could I have?
- How risky is spending money on pasture improvement?
Note: Because the tool covers such a diverse range of soil and pasture types across southern Australia, it provides
an index of potential pasture growth, not a prediction of actual growth. The pasture growth index should be
interpreted in light of local knowledge as to species, soil type, fertiliser history and aspect.
Further information
MLA Tips & Tools: Using the MLA Rainfall to Pasture Growth Outlook tool: Get your free copy
of this MLA Tip & Tool by:
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