Improved modelling of livestock production from lucerne
The Improved modelling of livestock production from lucerne project improved the capacity of the GRAZPLAN pasture growth model to predict lucerne growth and development by analysis of a range of information from the scientific literature.
Summary
In this project, the capacity of the GRAZPLAN pasture growth model to predict lucerne growth and development was improved by analysis of a range of information from the scientific literature. The descriptions of key processes (the developmental cycle, and in particular differences in winter activity; stomatal closure in warm, wet conditions; rooting front development; and nutritive value) were updated. The revised lucerne model was tested against 7 experimental data sets from across Australia that were chosen for their data quality. The testing revealed a number of limitations of the new lucerne model, but overall it is a considerable improvement over the previous version and it will be released for wider use in both research and decision support.
When: 24 May 2013 to 13 February 2015
Contact: Andrew Smith and Andrew Moore
Collaborator: CSIRO
More information
For more details, please read the final report summary and download the final report (B.DSS.0008) (PDF, 779.9KB) from Meat & Livestock Australia.