Daily pasture growth rates (grass growth), soil moisture and soil temperature for Culverden and surrounding Canterbury farms over the next 7 days, from ECMWF weather forecasts. Free, no sign-up.
This week at Culverden: net pasture growth is forecast to average 57 kgDM/ha/day on dairy pasture with medium soil, down 12% on the last 7 days (65). Soils are at 57% of what they can hold and soil temperature is 10.1 °C. Updated Sat, 31 Oct, 12:15 am NZDT.
Enter your platform to see where average cover lands by the end of the week.
| Day | Min / max °C | Rain mm | Evaporation mm | Soil moisture | Soil temp | Net growth | Demand /ha | Cover at day end |
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Every source is listed so you can judge how far to trust the numbers.
Temperature, rain, sunshine and evaporation for your location from the European Centre's IFS model, the global forecast most national weather services rely on. Delivered by Open-Meteo and refreshed with every model run.
A daily water balance runs over the last three months of weather at your location, so the forecast starts from how wet or dry your soil actually is.
Growth responds to temperature, sunlight and soil moisture, the same drivers as AgResearch's AgPasture model.
How accurate is it? It's strongest at showing what's coming: rain after a dry spell, a cold snap stalling growth, soils drying out. Peer-reviewed NZ pasture models land within about 15–20% of measured growth over a season. Single days vary more, so plan on the 7-day average and check it against your plate meter or farm walk.
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The weather forecast refreshes several times a day. Open the page and you get the latest run.
Farm type sets the pasture options and the feed budget: cows and kgDM per cow for dairy, stock units for sheep & beef.
Gross is everything the pasture grows. Net takes off the leaf that dies before it's grazed, which is closer to what a plate meter picks up.
It's the model run on the weather that actually fell at your location. Compare it with your own measurements to see how well it tracks your farm.
It's the forecast model's soil temperature near the surface (about 6 cm), averaged over each day. Ryegrass growth slows sharply once soil drops below about 6 °C.
Nitrogen timing, pugging, pests and grazing residuals all change what you'll measure. Adjust for them from your own records.
A 7-day grass growth forecast for each farming district in New Zealand. Pick yours, or use your exact farm location above.