The mid-November paddock-measured pasture growth rates from the Struan-based Pastures from Space project are presented in the table.

You will notice that growth rates have dropped back again this month despite the recent rain, with some sites with annual pastures (e.g. Benayeo/Apsley and Keith) having finished growth altogether, whilst others (e.g. Cadgee) are rapidly heading that way. Some of the sites with perennials (Avenue Range, Casterton, and Strathdownie) seem to have held their growth rates reasonably well, whilst others (e.g. Penola and Robe) have continued to struggle. This may reflect the lack of moisture available to these pastures in September and October making it difficult for sustained growth, even in the perennial pastures, which had largely run up to head.

These data are being compared to satellite-derived pasture growth data for the same paddocks as part of Australian Wool Innovations Ltd and Meat and Livestock Australia –funded projects to assess the accuracy of the satellite-derived pasture growth rates.

Once growth has finished at all the test sites in 2007 (highly likely to be at the next measurement in mid-December) we will then start comparing these ‘real’ pasture growth rates with the satellite-derived ones.

 Early in the New Year we should be in a position to comment on the accuracy of this new technology for our region and its pasture and soil types and make recommendations on amendments that could be made to improve the satellite-derived estimates.

For more information on this project, that is investigating the accuracy and effective use of satellite-derived pasture growth rate data in near real-time across 33 paddocks from Strathdownie to Karoonda, contact research officer Liz Abraham, SARDI, Struan Agricultural Centre on (08) 8762 9100.

Alternatively you can look at regional scale growth rate images and data at www.pasturesfromspace.csiro.au.

AUTHOR: Nick Edwards, SARDI, Struan.

CONTACT: Nick Edwards or Liz Abraham, Struan Research Centre, Telephone 8762 9100