Australia: Rain doesn't tell the full feedbase story, don't misread grazing potential

Rainfall alone may understate grazing potential, an analysis of pasture conditions versus rain received during 2024 in key cattle-growing country across Australia shows. Agricultural data analytics company Cibo Labs, creators of the Australian Feedbase Monitor, ran a comparison of rainfall figures in beef production regions for 2024 with the actual feedbase. Alastair Rayner, general manager of extension and operations, said the feedbase insights tell a more comprehensive story, with other factors at play like local pasture resilience, groundwater availability, management and reduced grazing pressure. The ability of some country to respond to what rain was received is also evident. In the big beef production region of Dalby, Queensland, recorded rainfall levels this year were significantly above 2023 levels but still below the 10-year average. Cibo Labs' seasonal ranking highlights above-average pasture conditions in Dalby. The feedbase in this region benefited well from the ...