Decoding the season: Use Pasture Deciles for smarter grazing decisions

Knowing whether your season is “good,” “bad,” or “average” is critical for proactive farm management. Traditionally, this decision relied heavily on experience, memory, and gut feel, but these methods can be inconsistent and reactive. Cibo Labs’ Pasture Growth Decile layer, available with the free Australian Feedbase Monitor, offers a data-driven early warning system for smarter, more confident grazing decisions.

What is a Decile?
A decile is a statistical tool that divides historical data into ten equal groups, ranking current conditions against past records. For instance, if we line up all October pasture biomass measurements since 2017 from driest to wettest, the decile ranking tells you which tenth the current season falls into. This simple, objective comparison replaces guesswork with clarity.

Understanding the Decile Scale:

• Decile 1–2 (Lowest 20%): Indicates conditions are much below normal, signalling potential drought. Immediate management actions, like sourcing additional feed or adjusting stock numbers, may be required.

• Decile 3–4 (Below Average): Pasture growth is less than typical, careful monitoring is recommended.

• Decile 5–6 (Average): The season is tracking normally. Pasture availability is in line with historical expectations.

• Decile 7–8 (Above Average): More feed than usual is available. Opportunities may exist to retain stock or manage grazing rotations more aggressively.

• Decile 9–10 (Highest 20%): Exceptional growth signals a “boom” season. Producers can confidently make strategic decisions such as expanding herd size, conserving surplus feed, or optimising grazing for maximum profit.

Why Deciles Matter for Producers:
The Pasture Growth Decile layer isn’t just a score, it’s a strategic management tool. By objectively showing how the season is performing, it allows producers to move from reactive decision-making to proactive planning.

• Early drought warnings: If deciles indicate below-average growth, producers can implement mitigation strategies sooner, reducing financial and emotional stress.

• Capitalising on good seasons: High deciles provide confidence to take advantage of favorable conditions, whether that’s purchasing extra stock or conserving feed for future lean periods.

• Regional insights: The layer enables comparison across regions, helping to determine if a dry patch is local or widespread, which is critical for stock movement or feed sourcing decisions.

From Satellite Data to Actionable Insights:
Cibo Labs’ platform translates satellite data into an easy-to-use tool for everyday farm decisions. By checking deciles regularly, producers can plan feed allocation, grazing rotations, and stocking strategies with precision and confidence, turning historical data into practical action.

Conclusion:
The Pasture Growth Decile layer transforms how producers understand and manage seasonal variability. No more relying solely on memory or gut feel – deciles provide an objective, historical perspective to guide your decisions. Whether it’s preparing for a challenging season or making the most of a boom year, using deciles helps you manage risk, seize opportunity, and optimise your grazing strategy.

Explore the Pasture Growth Decile layer for your region today on the National Comparison map and make smarter, data-driven grazing decisions.