Cibo Labs PastureKey October 2025 Model Update-  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. When was the model update  implemented into Pasture Key active subscriptions?
2. What area's of improvement were focused on in this latest model update?
3. What was the aim of the update?
4. How many new calibration sites were included in the latest update?
5. When was the Pasturekey service previously updated?
6. What has been the result of the update?
7. What changes as a user will I see as a result of this model update to my PastueKey Service?
8. What outcome does these changes have on  my TSDM data and imagery reported in PastureKey?
9. What happens to my PastureKey data and imagery in PastureKey from the earlier model?
   

1. When was the model update  implemented into PastureKey active subscriptions?

   The model update in all PastureKey services was implemented starting from the 8th October 2025 to 21st October 2025.

2. What area's of improvement were focused on in this latest model update?

   The model calibration efforts in this model update of PastureKey focused on these natural resource constraints:
   • Enhanced mapping of woody vegetation across Australia to accurately reflect changes resulting from fires, droughts, and natural regrowth processes.
   • Increased data collection efforts in the Northern Rangelands of Australia, as well as a broader gathering of information across Western Australia.
   • Collection of bare-ground calibration sites, especially dark and black soils, with other drought affected pastures when waterlogged (also visualized as dark)

    Further information on the focus areas and an explanation on the challenge areas that the model sort to address can be found at: Cibo Labs Pasture Biomass Model Update October 2025

3. What was the aim of the update?

   This model calibration effort aims to completely redesign the model architecture, using 50% fewer parameters with GELU activation and batch normalization across six hidden layers in a funnel architecture. This was applied to the same 10-fold cross validation of services as per version 2 pastureKey.

   To put it simply, we have been actively collaborating with our clients and partners to improve Total Standing Dry Matter (TDSM) predictions. To complete this a key component was the utilisation of a further 1300 additional sites and re- calibration of existing sites across Australia and the above redesign of the model architecture, which runs the PastureKey service.

4. How many new calibration sites were included in the latest update?

   Over 7500 callibration sites across Australia were included in the October 2025 model update.

5. When was the Pasturekey service previously updated?

   The last model update was completed in April 2025.

6. What has been the result of the update?

   For your PastureKey data analysis and imagery in (TDSM)- biomass, the update has had the following outcomes:

   • 1. An improvement in Mean Absolute Error (MAE) from 235 kg/ha (in the old model) to 113 kg/ha (in this latest model version update).
   • 2. A improvement and drop in Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) from 25% (in previous model) down to 13% (in the new model update).

7. What changes as a user will I see as a result of this model update to my PastureKey Service?

   From the 8th October 2025, users will see updated and adjusted biomass data in there pasture Key services and moving forward to reflect the version update and imagery. 

   Cibo labs has also taken the decision to back-process for 60 days from the 8th October 2025- all active PastureKey service subscriptions, using the new model upgrade. This ensures users are delivered the more refined and current data and imagery, directly relating to your paddocks and property.

8. What outcome does these changes have on  my TSDM data and imagery reported in PastureKey?

   1. Users now have a more refined and accurate 5 day paddock analysis being captured and reported direct to users dashboards.
   2. TDSM estimates now will have a improved and less variability seen between TDSM data estimates between each satellite fly-over event,  if the image is clear and not affected by cloud, shadows, shading or other satellite noise.

9. What happens to my PastureKey data and imagery in PastureKey from the earlier model?

   Unfortunately, as a result of completing this model update and the re-design of architecture, previous old model PastureKey TDSM data and the biomass layer imagery has needed to be turned off and removed from the system from 60 days prior to the 8th October 2025 in all PastureKey services. 

   Cibo Labs has taken the steps to provide 60 days of back processing free from the implementation date of this new model update in all PastureKey services for the biomass TDSM layer, paddock biomass, green pasture biomass, dead pasture biomass layers and pasture biomass change layers, that were active full subscriptions at that time.  This does regrettably mean that no historical TDSM data and biomass imagery for pasture biomass and the related product biomass layers will be seen or is no longer available for download in PastureKey subscriptions for dates in any active subscriptions that were running prior to the 10th August 2025, unless otherwise already downloaded as csv files and data files. These would be stored in your users reports section of your dashboards, if you had already completed these downloads.  This affects both the single and composite display options of pastureKey.

   The layers that are still accessible - but are using the older model include - historical data and imagery layers accessed before the 60 day back processing period in the upgrade, via the date scroll bar include:

   • fractional cover,
   • satellite cover,
   • green cover,
   • total cover layers

   These layers are still able accessed on your time slider bar and downloadable at the users 'on- demand' request using the dashboard download button at any time for dates prior to the 10th August 2025, and will use the old model imagery. However as at the 10th August 2025, this imagery will reflect the new model enhancements as per the new model version update implementation timeframes.
   

   The TDSM (Biomass Layer) imagery and data is available from users dashboards within that back-processing period and can