Removal of the end N uptake function
The end N uptake function was provided in an early version of Overseer (before 6.0.0) to allow crop specialists to examine and account for varying a crop’s growth curve through modifying when a crop would be at maturity.
In time, this function was commonly, but incorrectly, used to represent when a crop is no longer actively growing due to human management (e.g., spraying) but still remains in or on the paddock.
Following the significant updates to the crop model with the 6.5.1 release (Overseer version 6.5.1 release), the crop sub-model now adjusts the crop growth curve based on the planting and harvest dates. This update makes the intended use of the end N update function irrelevant or inappropriate for OverseerFM users as growth curves now automatically scale appropriately. As such, the end N uptake function has been removed from OverseerFM.
Through this work, however, we have identified the need for users to represent and account for when a crop is no longer actively growing due to human management (e.g., spraying) and remains in or on the paddock for extended periods or indefinitely. This need has been communicated to our science team, who are investigating further as to how this can be incorporated into the crop sub-model.