07-10-2003

We talk about it, and sometimes long for it. Some of us stop everything while it's happening and for a time afterwards. We notice if we are getting too much or not enough, but if it's about what we would expect, we just get on with our lives.

In one way or another, rain affects us all.

Farmers, resource planners and land managers now have a software tool, Rainman + Streamflow to help them manage seasonal variability, and for a limited time they can get a free evaluation copy thanks to the Managing Climate Variability R&D Programme.

Between now and the end of the year, 3000 promotional copies of the Rainman + Streamflow software will be distributed across Australia.

Rainman + Streamflow includes historical monthly and daily rainfall data from 3800 locations throughout Australia and gives you the power to analyse these records for individual locations to identify seasonal, monthly and daily rainfall patterns.

It can test the reliability of seasonal forecasts based on the relationship of the historical data and the current Southern Oscillation Index level and locations can be grouped to provide a regional analysis. By also including data from some 9500 locations world-wide, the program can even forecast seasonal rainfall in key production areas of competing countries, including India, Brazil, Canada and the USA.

Rainman generates an in-depth risk profile of the seasonal forecast regarding the total likely rainfall, whether the 'break of season' or 'wet season' will be early or late, and how often rainfall events are likely to occur.

The seasonal forecast analyses in Rainman are based on the El Niño/Southern Oscillation and can be applied to assess the amount, timing and frequency of river flows. The software includes historical readings from 400 river gauging stations.

Managing Climate Variability Chairman Dale Baker said the Program was proud to be backing the software with this promotion.

'The risks and opportunities presented by seasonal climate variability can be effectively managed, but this will require increasing the skills and knowledge of Australia's farmers and resource managers,' Mr Baker said.

'Rainman allows farmers to take advantage of detailed localised historical data and seasonal forecasting tools to make better tactical decisions about how they manage their businesses in a highly variable climate.'

Rainman + Streamflow has been developed by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries with support and input from the Bureau of Meterology, University of Melbourne, Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines, NSW Agriculture, WA Department of Agriculture, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation and the Climate Variability in Agriculture Programme (now Managing Climate Variability).

The promotion has some restrictions including one copy per farming enterprise, household or organisation, and participants must agree to take part in an evaluation of the software in spring 2004. The promotional copies of the software expire on September 30, 2004.

The software package includes tutorials on its use, an interactive publication Will it rain? The effect of the Southern Oscillation and El Niño in Australia, tutorials on variability in rainfall and streamflow and links to web sites for world-wide climate forecasting.

Standard, Educational and Professional versions of the Rainman Streamflow software are available for purchase. To order a promotional or full version of the Rainman Streamflow software go to www.lwa.gov.au/rainman or call 1800 776 616 and quote product code EC030609.

ENDS

For information or to arrange interviews with anyone listed below contact:

Media Officer, Land & Water Australia 02 6263 6000

Potential Interviewees

NATIONAL

For the Managing Climate Variability Programme Chairman, Dale Baker, or Program Coordinator Dr Barry White, 07 3371 5878.

For the Department of Primary Industries Queensland Centre for Climate Applications, Toowoomba, Dr Jeff Clewett, 07 4688 1244.

Contributors to the software package

Ian Partridge, author/editor of the book Will it rain? The effect of the Southern Oscillation and El Niño in Australia, Queensland Centre for Climate Applications, Department of Primary Industries, Toowoomba.

Nick Clarkson, project leader StreamFlow and workshop facilitator on streamflow issues. Queensland Centre for Climate Applications, Department of Primary Industries, Toowoomba.

QUEENSLAND

Damien O'Sullivan and Neil Cliffe, Queensland Drought Extension Officers, experienced in working with producers during the last decade, frequent users of the software.

Damien O'Sullivan, Drought and Risk Management Extension Officer, DPI, Kingaroy.

Neil Cliffe, Drought and Risk Management Extension Officer, DPI, Mackay.

NSW

Dr Peter Hayman, leader of the NSW Climate Group, NSW Agriculture, Tamworth.

Paul Carberry, Field Officer, NSW Climate Group, NSW Agriculture, Tamworth.

VICTORIA

Dr Mary Voice, lecturer at Monash University, previously head of the Bureau of Meterology National Climate Centre in Melbourne and in charge of the Bureau's monthly seasonal forecast. Mary is using Rainman with her students at the university and has been trialing a copy of Rainman + StreamFlow for the last few months. Also on the steering committee for the Rainman project.

Lynda Drosdowsky, recently promoted to Acting National Manager, Public Weather Services, Weather and Ocean Services, Policy Branch, Bureau of Meteorology. Involved with the Rainman project for a number of years and conducted demonstrations at Field Days.

Vernon Carr recently took over Lynda's role at the Bureau.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Melissa Truscott, provides training activities on climate for South Australian farmers and professional staff.

SARDI - Field Crop Improvement Centre.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Ian Foster, Climate Risks and Opportunities Project, Department of Agriculture.