Refined Website-based Weather Forecast Service for the Australian Feedlot Industry
| Project start date: | 01 January 2002 |
| Project end date: | 01 June 2004 |
| Publication date: | 01 June 2004 |
| Project status: | Completed |
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Summary
A weather forecasting system was developed to assist in warning feedlot operators of impending adverse weather conditions that could lead to excessive heat loads (and potential mortality) for feedlot cattle. This forecasting system covered several locations in the proximity of feedlots where Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) automatic weather stations (AWS) are located.
The forecasts were made over a four month period in summer (2003-04) at 15 sites throughout Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia. Forecasts were made of wind speed, wind direction, temperature, these being the input parameters necessary to calculate a heat load index. Forecasts for all 15 sites were posted daily onto a website (www.katestone.com.au/mla) for easy access to all feedlot operators. There was good agreement between the forecast heat load index (HLI) and the observed HLI out to 3 days ahead (60 to 80%), with reduced strength in the relationship out to 6 days ahead (20 to 60%).
More information
| Project manager: | Des Rinehart |
| Primary researcher: | Katestone Environmental |
