The Southern Oscillation Index - is it useful as a rainfall predictor for the Southern Mallee?

2004

Research organisaton

Trial details

Researcher(s) Fiona Best (BCG)
Harm van Rees (Cropfacts)
Year(s) 2004
Contributor Birchip Cropping Group
Trial location(s) Birchip, VIC
The Southern Oscillation Index - is it useful as a rainfall predictor for the Southern Mallee? locations
Aims

To discuss whether the Southern Oscillation Index is useful as a rainfall predictor for the Southern Mallee.

Key messages

The SOI phase signal for April-May (available on the last day of May) and subsequent monthly phases can provide useful information on the likelihood for rainfall for the rest of the season. It can be a very useful tool for assessing the risk of topdressing nitrogen fertiliser (especially if it is used in combination with other indicators such as potential of the crop; decile trend and stored soil moisture).

Lead research organisation N/A
Host research organisation N/A
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

Thank you to Peter Hayman who supported this analysis with ideas and interpretation. The Yield Prophet work which deals with climate variability is in part funded by the ‘Managing Climate Variability’ R&D program. 


Other trial partners Not specified
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Method

Crop type : N/A
Treatment type(s)
  • Farm operations: Risk Management
Trial type Article/commentary
Trial design Not applicable

Birchip 2004

Sow date Not specified
Harvest date Not specified
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information
Trial source data and summary not available
Check the trial report PDF for trial results.
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Birchip, VIC Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Birchip, VIC Vertosol
Soil Moisture Source: BOM/ANU
Average amount of water stored in the soil profile during the year, estimated by the OzWALD model-data fusion system.
Year Birchip VIC
2004 281.0mm
2003 275.8mm
2002 240.1mm
2001 285.1mm
2000 290.6mm
National soil grid Source: CSIRO/TERN
NOTE: National Soil Grid data is aggregated information for background information on the wider area
Actual soil values can vary significantly in a small area and the trial soil tests are the most relevant data where available

Soil properties

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Climate

Derived climate information

No observed climate data available for this trial.
Derived climate data is determined from trial site location and national weather sources.

Birchip VIC

CAUTION: Trial site locality unknown; Climate data sourced from Birchip Cropping Group office location
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Some data on this site is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology

SILO weather estimates sourced from https://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/silo/
Jeffrey, S.J., Carter, J.O., Moodie, K.B. and Beswick, A.R. (2001). Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data , Environmental Modelling and Software, Vol 16/4, pp 309-330. DOI: 10.1016/S1364-8152(01)00008-1.

Trial report and links

2004 trial report



Trial last modified: 22-03-2019 15:10pm AEST