OVERSEER

Decision support for on-farm nutrient management

 Click the logo to visit the Overseer website

OVERSEER is an agricultural management tool, developed by AgResearch and widely used throughout New Zealand, that assists in examining nutrient use and movements within a farm to optimise production and environmental outcomes. 

The model calculates the nutrient flows in a farming system and identifies potential for risk of environmental impacts through calculation of nutrient loss as run-off and leaching, and as greenhouse gas emissions.  As well as supporting on-farm advice, it is increasingly being used by Regional Councils to support their environmental policies.

The model is underpinned by AgResearch’s (and other’s) nutrient management research programmes.

OVERSEER is jointly owned by MAF, Fert Research and AgResearch.  The model is being redeveloped during a five-year project, with investment from MAF and FertResearch.  AgResearch has been appointed as Lead Provider to deliver the Owners’ plans.

This entails: adding new features to the model; reviewing the key science sub-models within OVERSEER; and redeveloping the software and user interface. 

The team are currently working on the next major release, scheduled for July 2011.