More than 40 years of agricultural climate research
Agromet's forecasting work has developed through decades of agricultural research, climate analysis and comparison of forecasts with actual seasonal conditions.
This research sits in parallel with an operational crop modelling system STIN (STress -INdex) that can convert climate forecasts into “true crop yield forecasts”. The role of new technology and climate variability on crop production can be differentiated in the STIN system. This provides the platform for understanding what is driving regional grain production across the Australian grain belt.
Regional forecasting indices: a breakthrough
The discovery of a new lead-index and now-time index for climate extremes in south-eastern Australia in 2024 has evolved into similar indices for ten major regions of the Australia: Queensland, Northern NSW, Southern NSW, Victoria, Eastern SA (Central north and South-east), Western SA (Eyre Peninsula) and the four Port Zones in Western Australia (Geraldton, Kwinana, Albany and Esperance).
The research into what drives climate extremes with lead-time is ongoing. This improved understanding is already translating into better risk management at a regional scale with clients.
