Rethinking farm-scale modelling to meet new challenges and possibilities

Abstract

Historically, agricultural models have tended to be created, owned and maintained by a single person or research organisation. This modus operandi is often proving fragile, when confronted with budget constraints and staff turnover. Collaborative modelling is proving to be a viable alternative that has numerous advantages; it allows costs to be shared, buffers budget and staff changes in individual organisations, increases quality control of model code and extends the biophysical and management dimensions of model testing. However, collaborative modelling itself presents practical and cultural challenges that must be overcome and also imposes some costs. We here reflect on the experience garnered through the development of two modelling platforms: APSIM and RECORD.