A world wide web-based grazing simulation model (GRASIM)

This paper introduces the Web-based GRAzing SImulation Model (GRASIM). It describes the model's core algorithms, the multi-paddock grazing and scheduling capabilities, and presents the Web interface structure and its execution mechanism. GRASIM estimates daily forage dry matter, daily soil water content and drainage, and daily soil nitrate content and leaching. The Web interface for GRASIM was developed to better deliver this useful computing resource to general users with access to a Web browser, regardless of their computer platform. With this Web interface, users can setup and modify GRASIM input files, run the model and obtain immediate responses to questions of interest with great ease. WWW-GRASIM also includes a help manual developed to give users instant help on all the model-input variables, components in GRASIM's Web interface and model execution procedures. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.