Beyond the Weather Forecast: A decision making Tool for Farmers

Beyond the Weather Forecast: A decision making Tool for Farmers

Author: NSW Local Land Services June 29, 2026 Duration: 27:55

What if farmers could better understand what's happening beneath their feet? And could that information help them make better decisions when seasons don't go to plan? 

In this episode, we explore Farming Forecaster, a free online tool that combines soil moisture, pasture growth and seasonal information to help farmers make more informed management decisions. 

We visit Mattana Farm near Milton on the NSW South Coast, where Bec and Adam share how a local soil moisture probe has helped them navigate drought, fire, flooding rains and difficult livestock decisions. 

Whether you're a data enthusiast or simply looking for another tool to support decision-making, this episode offers practical insights into using information alongside experience and intuition on farm. 

 

 

Featured Guests 

  • Bec and Adam – Mattana Farm, Milton NSW 

  • Matt Lieschke – Agricultural Extension Officer, Local Land Services 

  • Phil Graham – Agricultural Consultant 

 

Episode Guide 

  • (00:00) Farming through drought, fires and changing seasons 

  • (06:00) Why soil moisture and temperature matter 

  • (07:30) Using data to make tough stocking decisions 

  • (08:30) How Farming Forecaster helps manage climate variability 

  • (11:30) Exploring the website, probes and pasture forecasts 

  • (16:00) Setting trigger points before conditions deteriorate 

  • (24:30) Back on the farm: confidence, confirmation and practical advice 

Useful Links 


This episode is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program and delivered by South East Local Land Services, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel. Views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Local Land Services or the Australian Government. 


Hosted by NSW Local Land Services, Big Shift For Small Farms-Australian Agriculture and Regenerative Farming is a conversation about the fundamental changes required in how we work the land. This podcast moves beyond theory, grounding each discussion in the real-world experiences of Australian farmers who are implementing regenerative practices. You’ll hear from those on the front lines-producers, researchers, and industry experts-as they share practical knowledge about holistic land management. The dialogue recognizes that a truly sustainable system connects everything, from the microbiology in the soil to the well-being of the people managing the landscape. These conversations are made possible by the Grow Love Project in partnership with NSW Local Land Services, supported by Australian Government funding. By listening, you join a community exploring how agricultural resilience is built, one small farm at a time. This podcast serves as a vital resource for anyone interested in the future of farming, offering honest insights and collaborative wisdom for a more regenerative path forward.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 49

Big Shift For Small Farms - Australian Agriculture and Regenerative Farming
Podcast Episodes
Compost gold [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:08
For farmers, compost is like black gold because its really valuable for efficient high quality food production, but just like gold it can be pretty expensive and hard to source. In this episode, we’ll talk to those who p…
The benefits of Community Supported Agriculture [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:51
Community supported agriculture originates back to the 1960s and is a relatively new concept in Australia. At a time when more and more consumers are looking to connect to the source of their food, the CSA model could ju…
Supply chain innovations - mobile abattoirs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:18
When it comes to getting your livestock processed. getting to an abattoir can be time-consuming for you and stressful for the animals. in light of this, some innovative farmers are disrupting the conventional supply chai…
Cultivating wellbeing on farm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:38
According to Mental Health Australia, 1 in 5 Australians are affected by mental illness, yet many don’t seek help because of stigma. And that’s what this episode is all about. We’ll hear from a farmer who’s grappled with…
Building healthy soils [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:31
When it comes to agricultural productivity it all begins with the soil. In this episode we’ll hear from experts in the field and scientists in the lab about the power of health soils. And we’ll get our hands dirty with v…
How to become a startup farmer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:54
We often hear in the media that young people are leaving the farm in favour of other career paths. But what we don’t hear about are those in the city who feel the need to get their hands dirty and create a business growi…
Urban farming may become essential [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:13
Farming in urban areas and on the outskirts of our major towns and cities, holds much promise for delivering healthy and safe food to our cities. Urban farms not only provide local employment, but serve as educational hu…
The Big Shift for Small Farms - Trailer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29
We're very excited to bring you a podcast series dedicated to helping small scale farmers. We'll cover topics ranging from soil health to mental health and everything in between. Tune in each fortnight as we bring you co…