Overseer uses a number of different descriptions of area, for modelling and reporting purposes:
| Area | Description | Notes |
| Total Farm Area | Either the total farm area entered by the user or An area calculated by the model that adds a multiplier to pasture block areas to account for non-paddock areas used by animals for moving around the farm (e.g. lanes) | The model uses this area for all the farm-level “per ha” values e.g. N/ha, GHG/ha. |
| Productive Block Area | The total area of all the farm’s productive blocks | The model does not use this area. Some users are potentially using this value as a proxy for “effective area”. |
|
Milk platform |
See definition below. | Nutrient loss calculated in the UI. GHG emissions modelled by enterprise. |
|
Red meat platform |
See definition below. | Nutrient loss calculated in the UI. GHG emissions modelled by enterprise. |
|
Green Energy Platform |
In development | In development |
|
Total grazing area |
The total area of all pastoral blocks grazed by all enterprises | Some users are potentially using this value as a proxy for “effective area”. |
|
Dairy grazing area |
The total area of all pastoral blocks grazed by the dairy enterprise | Some users are potentially using this value as a proxy for “effective area”. |
|
Sown crop area per crop |
The total area of land for each sowing event in the reporting year. If the same crop is sown multiple times in the reporting year (e.g. 2 sowing events) on the same block (e.g. a 1.2 ha block), the sown area of that crop is 2.4 ha. |
Calculated in the software UI. |
|
Irrigated area per irrigation system |
The total area of land that this irrigation system applies irrigation to. If the same irrigation system applies irrigation to the same block (e.g. a 1.2 ha block) multiple times, the irrigation area is 1.2 ha. |
Calculated in the software UI. |
Milk Platform Definition
In June 2025, following extensive industry consultation, reporting for a "Milk Platform" and "Red Meat Platform" were added to OverseerFM.
The milk platform refers to the part of the farm used for milk production. and is defined as:
- Any block grazed by a dairy enterprise
- All nutrient loads from other sources such as:
- Lanes and races
- Pond discharge (if applicable)
It also includes (even if not grazed):
- Fodder rotation crop blocks supplying feed to dairy enterprise via cut-and-carry to pastoral blocks.
- Crop blocks supplying feed to dairy enterprise via cut-and-carry to pastoral blocks.
The milking platform area is calculated as:
The sum of the effective areas of all blocks that are grazed by dairy enterprises, or used to directly feed dairy enterprise on pastoral blocks. Plus, an additional 1.5% of the total effective area of pastoral blocks. This adjustment accounts for lanes and races, based on Overseer’s internal model assumptions.
It excludes:
- Wetlands and riparian zones
- Exported cut and carry crop blocks
Red Meat Platform Definition
The red meat platform refers to the part of the farm used for beef, sheep and deer production. and is defined as:
- Any block grazed by a beef, sheep or deer enterprise.
It also includes (even if not grazed):
- Fodder rotation crop blocks supplying feed to beef, sheep or deer enterprises via cut-and-carry to pastoral blocks.
- Crop blocks supplying feed to beef, sheep or deer enterprises via cut-and-carry to pastoral blocks.
The red meat platform area is calculated as:
The sum of the effective areas of all blocks that are grazed by beef, sheep or deer enterprises, or used to directly feed those animals on pastoral blocks. Plus, an additional 1.0% of the total effective area of pastoral blocks (excluding those grazed solely by merino sheep). This adjustment accounts for lanes and races, based on Overseer’s internal model assumptions.
It excludes:
- Wetlands and riparian zones
- Exported cut and carry crop blocks