Development of a validation dataset for MEDLI Pro V2
| Project start date: | 31 March 2019 |
| Project end date: | 30 September 2022 |
| Publication date: | 13 January 2023 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle |
| Relevant regions: | National |
Summary
Feedlots are exposed to variable climate and precipitation conditions and hydrological modelling is required to understand site-specific feedlot processes and characteristics. Two of the key outputs from hydrological modelling are the determination of the minimum capacity of effluent holding ponds, to ensure environmental compliance, and the production of key input data used in the recently developed odour modelling process.
MLA previously funded a project to develop a hydrology model for feedlots in 2003–04 (Atzeni et al. 2014) and a feedlot module was developed within the existing 'Model for Effluent Disposal Using Land Irrigation (MEDLI®)'. However, despite being successfully used by consultants and researchers to model various aspects of feedlot runoff processes (e.g., since 2003, Premise (formerly FSA Consulting) has used the feedlot module in 90 projects with a total net value of over $3.8 million), the feedlot module was not made commercially available in the recently released MEDLI V2.
Further to the original development, MLA has now funded an upgrade of the feedlot module, MEDLI Pro V2, which is due to be completed by early 2019. While the knowledge used to develop MEDLI is technically sound, the final component required to strengthen the model is to quantitatively validate the runoff volumes and concentrations against real world data. This project will collect the data required to undertake this evaluation.
Objectives
1. Development of a comprehensive bank of hydrological validation datasets based on four feedlot sites that will be used to assess the performance of MEDLI Pro V2 across the major beef lot feeding areas of Australia, with a focus on summer and winter dominant rainfall areas.
2. Collect run-off and average pond nutrient concentrations across the four sites to validate the runoff-off component of the MEDLI Pro V2.
Key findings
The project was terminated due to malfunctions of pond hydrological gauges across multiple sites, and inconsistency of data collection.
Benefits to industry
Whilst the project was terminated, MEDLI Pro V2 is available for regulatory use in Queensland based on the original model development dataset.
MLA action
MEDLI Pro V2 is available for regulatory use in Queensland.
Future research
No further research is planned unless requested by state regulatory agencies.
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For more information Contact Project Manager: Des Rinehart |
