New England soil moisture and weather monitoring network gives farmers better insights
Five Farming Forecaster sites are now operational across the region, with training events to help farmers put the data to work.
GLENRAC’s Farming Forecaster project has reached an important milestone, with the first five soil moisture monitoring sites installed and collecting data across the region.
Located at Emmaville, Deepwater, Glen Innes, Glencoe and Oakwood near Inverell, the sites provide farmers with access to valuable information about soil moisture, rainfall and pasture growth to support more informed farm management decisions.
Installed in the first half of September 2026, each site incorporates an 80cm-deep capacitor soil moisture probe, a rainfall gauge and a GrassGro pasture model.
The technology brings together on-ground measurements and pasture modelling to give farmers a clearer picture of seasonal conditions and how their pastures are responding.
By making this information available through the Farming Forecaster dashboard, farmers can use local data to support decisions around grazing management, pasture growth and forward planning.
The availability of this information is expected to give farmers greater confidence in their decision-making, with timely, local insights helping them respond to changing conditions sooner than was previously possible.
Importantly, farmers do not need to host a soil moisture probe or weather station to benefit from the technology. The information is available for the broader farming community to access, making the project a valuable resource for farmers throughout the region.
Training to help farmers make the most of the data
To help farmers understand and apply the information, GLENRAC will host a free Farming Forecaster training event on Wednesday 11 November, from 10 am to 12.30 pm, at the Glen Innes Showgrounds Tearooms.
The session will be presented by Phil Graham of Graham Advisory, and a Farming Forecaster committee member.
Farmers will learn how to access the Farming Forecaster dashboard, read and interpret soil moisture, rainfall and weather data, and apply the information to grazing management, pasture growth and farm planning decisions.
n.b. The session will include a break to observe Remembrance Day.
All farmers are welcome, including those who are not hosting a monitoring site. The training is an opportunity to learn how to access and use the technology, understand what the data means for individual farming operations, and make better use of the information available.
The training is free, but RSVPs are essential.
To register, contact GLENRAC on 6732 3443 or email eliza.james@glenrac.org.au.
GLENRAC Project Manager Eliza James said the installation of the first five sites was an exciting step towards giving farmers access to more timely, local information to support their businesses.
“Having access to reliable soil moisture, rainfall and pasture information can make a real difference to the confidence farmers have in their decisions. Farming Forecaster gives farmers another tool to help them understand what is happening across their properties and make more informed decisions about grazing, pasture management and planning”
“While five farmers are hosting the initial sites, the benefits of this technology extend well beyond those properties. We encourage farmers from across the region to come along to the training, learn how to use the dashboard and see how the information could be useful in their own businesses.”
The five sites were installed by Porosity Ag, with Farming Forecaster hosting the data platform.
The project has been supported by the NSW Government through the Landcare Enabling Program Phase 3 Innovations and Partnerships Grant Program.
For further information or to register for the training, contact GLENRAC Project Manager Eliza James at eliza.james@glenrac.org.au or on 6732 3443.
Media contact:
Eliza James
Project Manager, GLENRAC
eliza.james@glenrac.org.au