Yield and N Calculators
The Yield and N Calculators (previously known as the Mallee Calculator) calculate nitrogen requirements and yield for cereals and canola in southern Australia.
- 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
Cereal and canola growers in dryland agricultural systems of southern Australia.
Questions this tool answers
Based on starting soil water, what is the likely yield response to given levels of nitrogen and predicted rainfall?
How much nitrogen does my wheat crop need this season?
What this tool does
The Yield and N Calculators can help you balance the availability of water with nitrogen fertiliser requirements to achieve the desired yield and grain quality.
There are two calculators:
- The Generic Calculator – this general version uses your inputs of growing-season rainfall
- Your Soil's Potential Calculator – an automated version for low-rainfall situations i.e. < 500 mm annual rainfall; (this is the former Mallee Calculator equivalent)
To use the calculators, you need Microsoft Excel® on your computer.
Inputs
You enter you own data, such as:
- soil data from soil tests and your knowledge – type, texture, organic content, total soil nutrients, soil carbon:nitrogen ratios, bulk density, porosity
- information about current and previous crops, rainfall and soil moisture
Outputs
The calculators results are displayed in tables and graphs in the spreadsheet. Figure 1 is an example.
Figure 1. Sample output from Your Soil’s Potential Calculator
Reliability
The Generic Calculator relies on accurate growing-season rainfall.
Your Soil's Potential Calculator only works for wheat areas with less than 500 mm annual rainfall.
The calculators are not predictive – they cannot use climate forecasts.
History
The calculators were funded through a series of Grains Research & Development Corporation projects led by Jeff Baldock from CSIRO Land and Water, Adelaide.
Support available
Contact Jeff Baldock, CSIRO Land and Water, Adelaide
Email: jeff.baldock@csiro.au
Where to get it
Where to get it
Download the two calculators and instructions for use from CSIRO
For enquiries:
Email: ncalculator-gw@csiro.au
Cost
Free