Pasture Forecasting Tools – A Wrap Up

There are a variety of pasture forecasting tools available for farmers, some are free whilst others are commercial designed to assist in both pasture management and on farm decision-making.

Pasture.io

•         Utilizes NDVI, satellite imagery, weather data, and farm records.
•         Outputs include current and forecasted pasture growth rates.
•         Subscription-based pricing; offers additional features like record keeping and herd information.
•         Claims strong accuracy with an R2 value of 0.89.

PastureKey

•     Focuses on estimating pasture availability using satellite imagery.
•     Does not predict future growth rates.
•     Subscription fees based on farm size, with optional premium support.

Maia Grazing

            Supports stocking rate forecasts, feed budgeting, and analytics based on various inputs (rainfall, livestock, paddocks).

            Offers a free trial with limited features, and various pricing tiers depending on features.

Ag360

    Provides forecasts on soil moisture, pasture availability, and livestock productivity.

    Free to use after account creation.

AussieGRASS

•             Offers long-term rainfall and pasture growth predictions.
•             Free to use, combines multiple data sources for predictive analysis.

GrassGro

•     A decision-support tool focusing primarily on livestock and business outcomes rather than explicit pasture forecasts.
•     Annual subscription required, with training courses available for users.

Australian Feedbase Monitor

•             Provides historic and current pasture biomass estimates.
•             Free for MLA members, with a nominal fee for non-members after a trial period.

Key Considerations for each Pasture Forecasting Tool

•     Data entry and user involvement are crucial for several tools, especially those reliant on local calibration.
•     Each tool has varying functionalities, such as record-keeping, scenario modeling, and integration with other software.
•     Subscription pricing varies significantly, influencing user choices based on farm size and specific needs.
•     Free trials and educational resources are often available, facilitating informed decisions before subscriptions.

    Understanding specific functionalities, costs, and data requirements helps users select the most suitable forecasting tool for their operations.