HOMEPAGE | SQMS DECISION SUPPORT WEBSITE | HOW DOES THE SQMS DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM WORK? | USER REGISTRATION | REGISTRATION AND USER FEES
RESULTS VALIDATION | LIABILITY | SECURITY| COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY
SQMS decision support website:

The SQMS web site provides:
  • confidential storage and retrieval of SQMS test results and management history information for each registered paddock
  • detailed interpretation of indicator results based on management history information
  • comprehensive crop and soil management recommendations to assist farmers to maintain or improve soil quality and crop performance

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How does the SQMS decision support system work?
The soil quality indicator data collected using the SQMS test kit and user manual are entered by a registered user into the confidential website. This data is stored for each registered paddock and remains confidential to the user and Crop & Food Research.

Once the indicator data have been entered and accepted by the system, the user can request:
  • a summary of the indicator results for a given paddock over the life of their monitoring programme
  • detailed interpretations of indicator results for the current monitoring year
  • recommendations to assist with soil management decisions

For a demonstration of SQMS decision support web site, click here (under development).

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User registration

  • The SQMS decision support web site is available to any registered user. To register, users must complete and return the forms in a registration pack. When your registration is complete, we send you a Username and Password to use each time you login to the system (keep these in a safe and secure place).
  • While it is not essential, we strongly recommend that each user attend a SQMS training day before starting a monitoring programme.
  • Registration pack. New subscribers must register at least one paddock. Subscribers may register as many additional paddocks as they wish. Each time a new paddock is registered, information on its management history (e.g. tillage practices, crop rotations, crop residue management, etc.) over the last five years is requested inclusion in the SQMS database.

To order a registration pack contact the SQMS project manager at SQMSAdmin

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Registration and user fees:
  • There is a one-off set-up charge of NZ $25 (GST inclusive) per paddock to register as a user of the decision support system. This fee covers the cost of opening a user account.
  • There is an additional annual fee of NZ $25 (GST inclusive) for each registered paddock to help cover the costs of operating and maintaining the SQMS decision support web site. Subscribers may register as many paddocks as they wish, and the annual fee entitles them to unlimited access to the system for each paddock during the calendar year.
  • Before the system can be used for the first time, the set-up fee must be paid and at least one paddock must be registered.
  • The annual user fee must be paid for each registered paddock before data from that calendar year can be entered into the SQMS web site.
  • It is not compulsory to collect and record SQMS results for each registered paddock in every year. However, maintaining a continuous monitoring record for each paddock is strongly recommended.

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Results validation:

  • Current registered users who have attended a training day can request a review of their SQMS results for validation by Crop & Food Research.
  • Validated results may be used by farmers to:
    - provide a record of sustainable soil management practices
    - promote the marketability of their crops
    - demonstrate the health of their soil at the point of sale
  • We strongly recommend that farmers and agricultural consultants attend an official SQMS training day before starting a monitoring programme.
  • See SQMS training days for more information.

For more information on results validation contact the SQMS project manager at SQMSAdmin

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Liability
  • While every care has been taken when preparing this system, no liability will be accepted by the New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Limited for any loss or damage suffered as a result of applying the information contained in this web site or the supporting documents.
  • The current version of the decision support web site provides interpretations and recommendations that are ONLY suitable for mixed-cropping soils on the Canterbury Plains. While many of the SQMS indicators may be suitable for use in other regions and agricultural sectors, the interpretations have not been developed and validated for these circumstances.

  • Work is underway to expand SQMS for use in other regions (e.g. Southland). The concept may also be adapted to other land uses (e.g. fresh vegetable production) in the future.

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Security:
  • Each subscriber's information is secure and only accessible via the Username and Password.
  • The system maintains a confidential database for each registered paddock. It retains all management history information and indicator results for future reference. In this way a progressive record is accumulated of the soil quality status of a paddock.
  • Subscribers can retrieve management history information and previous indicator results for their registered paddocks from the database at any time.

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Computer technology:

  • The SQMS decision support system uses Java based servlet/JSP and JDBC technology coupled with a MS SQL Server database to calculate, store and retrieve relevant information.
  • Internet browser compatibility. By using servlet functionality the SQMS decision support system can be accessed with recent versions of any of the common Internet Browsers (see Internet Browser).

Intellectual property
  • This website and its contents are copyright to Crop & Food Research (Copyright � 2002).
  • No part of this site may be reproduced without the permission of Crop & Food Research. For information on obtaining permission to reproduce any aspect of this site, contact Crop & Food Research's Webmaster.
  • Where permission for reproduction is granted, appropriate acknowledgement of Crop & Food Research must be made.

Linking to & from this site
  • You may not create a link to any of the pages on this website without our prior written permission. If you do create a link to any page on this website you agree that you are responsible for all consequences of the link, whether direct or indirect, and indemnify us for any liability or loss incurred or suffered by us, whether directly or indirectly, from any such link. We do not endorse any website (or organisation or person associated with that website) that has links to this website.

    If you want to create a link to any of the pages on this website please contact Crop & Food Research's Webmaster.

  • We do not endorse any website (or organisation or person associated with the website) to which a link is provided on this website. No link to any other website provided on this website, and no information on any other such website, is investigated or monitored to determine whether it is, or remains, complete and accurate and otherwise appropriate. You access and use the information on any other such website at your own risk.

Applicable law
  • Your access to and use of this website, and the information on this website, is governed exclusively by New Zealand law.
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Terms of Use Copyright � 2002 New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Limited Private Bag 4704 Christchurch, New Zealand
While every care has been taken when preparing this system, no liability will be accepted by the New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Limited for any loss or damage suffered as a result of applying the information contained in this document.