Two models, with contrasting complexity, were developed to simulate lucerne (Medicago sativa) yields
The TGM (Thermal-Time-Based-Model) model was designed to target a farmer or farm-consultancy end-user interested in estimating local lucerne yields.
- The TGM model is being developed into an online calculator and will be open access.
- The TGM model is currently being updated to include red clover.
The APSIM (Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator) — a process-based model — was designed to target researchers as end-users to develop a mechanistic tool that can be used to explain climate and land use changes on forage production and environmental impacts.
- The APSIM-NextGen lucerne model is available via APSIM initiative repository in GitHub. It can be used with lucerne / red clover to look at climate change scenarios, catchment run-off, and water quality issues.
Keen to know more?
- Podcast (The thermal time-based (TGM) model
- Podcast (Development of the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator model (APSIM for short))
- Peer-reviewed manuscript (Moot et al. 2022: Simplified methods for on-farm prediction of yield potential of grazed lucerne crops in New Zealand)
- Peer-reviewed manuscript (Keenan et al. 2023: Predicting yield of irrigated red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) pastures in response to temperature)
Acknowledgements
A big thank you to Derrick Moot (Lincoln University) and Edmar Teixeira (Plant and Food Research), for taking the lead on this project for New Zealand's sheep and beef farming community. They are among a range of new tools to support farmers and consultants that will be among the outcomes of the Hill Country Futures Partnership.