Weather researchers from the Department of Agriculture and Food will be on hand at Wagin Woolorama as part of its Meet the Specialists display.
Department research officer Ian Foster, who has been instrumental in the establishment of 65 new automatic weather stations across the Wheatbelt and South West, will be there on Saturday 9 March.
Dr Foster will be available to show visitors a preview of the department’s new online weather site.
“The new site is more consistent and easier to use and includes climate data for each individual site, as well as graphs of weather variables,” he said.
“We will also be able to provide people with advice about how they can use the available information to assist decisions around spraying, fertiliser application and irrigation and to reduce costs and increase yields.”
Department research officer Fiona Evans will be at the department’s display on Friday 8 March to provide information about the department’s online Statistical Seasonal Forecasting (SSF) system.
“There is a great opportunity for growers to marry real-time data from the weather stations with the local seasonal forecasts to enable more informed business decisions about their cropping programs,” Dr Evans said.
“These two tools can also link into other initiatives, like Yield Prophet® to optimise crop potential.
“By using these and other online tools, the department can help support your success.”
Throughout Woolorama, over 8 and 9 March, many other specialists from the department’s grains, livestock, resource management and biosecurity disciplines will be available to talk to at its display.
Media contact: Jodie Thomson, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937