Benchmarking to improve long-term carrying capacity estimates for extensive grazing properties in Queensland

Safe carrying capacity information can assist producers in making stocking rate decisions to ensure minimal decline in land condition over the long-term. FORAGE, a modelling framework which uses the GRASP pasture growth model, spatial data, remote sensing and climate data, provides long-term carrying capacities for individual paddocks and land types for grazing properties in Queensland. Applying the framework across Queensland’s diverse grazing lands and capturing the large range of land types and climates is challenging. To overcome this challenge, we will collate on-ground data and expert-knowledge for reference properties to help validate the modelling framework and ensure the best-available safe carrying capacity information is provided

DAF Project Report for ‘Inside Edge for graziers to adapt to Queensland’s drought-prone climate – grazing extension tools’.

The Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation (DSITI) led a $4.4 M four-year (2017-2021) ‘Inside Edge grazing extension tools for graziers to adapt to Queensland’s drought prone climate’ project in collaboration with Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF,$1.4 M). The project was co-funded by the Queensland Drought and Climate Adaptation Program (DCAP) and the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) Reef Water Quality (RWQ). The ‘Inside Edge - Honing the Edge’ project was extended until September 2022. The purpose of the ’Inside Edge’ project was to develop property-based decision support tools and products that promote both sustainable natural resource use in grazing lands and profitable beef and sheep industries in Queensland. FORAGE (www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/forage/) is an online, web and email-based decision support system that generates and distributes climate and pasture related information in customised reports for a requested location. The information generated through FORAGE can be used to facilitate grazing and environmental land management decisions. The FORAGE system is maintained by the Queensland Government and is a free service. A fully-automated approach to modelling long-term carrying capacity (LTCC) through the FORAGE online system was developed through the ‘Inside Edge Project’. Review, refinement and validation of key input data (e.g. land type descriptions, mapping, GRASP parameters), and incorporation of new and existing data and local knowledge, was undertaken by DAF to ensure the FORAGE decision support tool provided consistent and scientifically robust long-term carrying capacity information. This report details the achievements of DAF delivered through the Inside Edge project (2017-2022) and provides recommendations for future work