Better forecast, better production

Many producers are surprised to learn that they have been reading the weather forecast incorrectly. It can lead to misinterpretation, confusion, and disappointment when you do not receive the rain you thought you were forecasted to get. Being able to forecast correctly will allow you to prepare your production system better for the season to come. Better forecasting leads to better preparation and improved production.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries GrazingFutures team, together with Dr. Chelsea Jarvis from the Northern Australia Climate Program (NACP) have produced a practical and informative south west Queensland climate focused webinar. This webinar provides information and examples for Murweh, Paroo, Quilpie, Bulloo and Maranoa Shire regions.

Topics covered during this presentation include:

  • Why the past seasons have been dry
  • What to expect in the coming season
  • Where you can find this information out for yourself
  • How to correctly read a forecast
  • Secrets BOM didn’t tell you, but we will

You can watch the full recording or use the playlist below to jump to the start of a particular section within the presentation. 35:23; published 27 May 2020 by FutureBeefAu.

Additional resources

  1. NACP Weather and Climate Information Links Handout

Full recording

Playlist:

  1. NACP Introduction
  2. Presentation Overview
  3. CliMate App
  4. Why the past seasons have been dry
  5. El Niño Modoki
  6. Indian Ocean Dipole
  7. Past wet season analysis
  8. What’s likely for the season ahead
  9. Mean vs. Median rainfall – Which one you should use
  10. Rainfall outlook
  11. Temperature outlook
  12. Finding this information
  13. What causes rainfall for SWQ
  14. La Niña
  15. IOD ‘Negative’ Phase
  16. Finding this information
  17. Seasonal climate forecasting tools
  18. Tips BOM didn’t tell you
  19. MetEye
  20. How to correctly read a forecast
  21. Rain radars
  22. Useful resource links
  23. Conclusion

Contact information: 

Caitlyn Frazer – Department of Agriculture & Fisheries

Charleville QLD 4470

E: caitlyn.frazer@daf.qld.gov.au

Dr. Chelsea Jarvis – University of Southern Queensland

Toowoomba QLD 4350

E: chelsea.jarvis@usq.edu.au

GrazingFutures is an initiative of the Queensland Government to improve drought preparedness and resilience for Queensland producers.