EcoMod
EcoMod is a model that predicts the impacts of climate and management decisions on pasture and animal production.
- Who this tool is for
- Questions this tool answers
- What this tool does
- Inputs
- Outputs
- Reliability
- History
- Support available
- Where to get it
- Cost
Read about our selection process for including tools on Climate Kelpie
Who this tool is for
Agricultural researchers working on grazing systems in temperate, Mediterranean and subtropical Australia.
The models do not provide economic information, which limits their use for farmers.
Questions this tool answers
What are the impacts of climate and management decisions, in various combinations, on my pastures?
What this tool does
EcoMod is a simulation model used for predicting and understanding the consequences of weather and management decisions on grazing systems. The model has primarily been used in New Zealand.
The models predict outcomes according to:
- pasture growth and utilisation by grazing animals
- water and nutrient dynamics
- animal physiology and production
- pasture management, irrigation and fertiliser application
Inputs
Daily climate data is required for each model, usually sourced from SILO but other climate data can be imported from Microsoft Excel®.
Soil types, pasture species, fertiliser, irrigation, animal type and grazing systems must be specified.
Outputs
The models produce annual summaries and daily data of pasture and animal production, water balance and soil nutrients.
Figures 1 and 2 are examples of EcoMod outputs.
Reliability
EcoMod has been well tested in temperate and Mediterranean regions, and to a lesser extent in subtropical regions.
History
Meat & Livestock Australia, Dairy Australia and AgResearch (New Zealand) funded development of these models led by researchers at the University of Melbourne.
Support available
Contact Brendan Cullen, Research Fellow, Melbourne School of Land and Environment, University of Melbourne
Email: bcullen@unimelb.edu.au
Where to get it
Contact Brendan Cullen or IMJ Consultants for a serial number. You can then download the models.
More information on EcoMod is here.
Cost
Free to download, but a serial number is required.