What is Whopper Cropper?
Whopper Cropper is an easy-to-use computer program designed to provide crop management advisers with the latest technology in cropping systems modelling and seasonal climate forecasting. The highly variable climate of north-eastern Australia makes cropping a complex and risky business that is difficult to study using short-term field trials. The Agricultural Production Systems Research Unit (APSRU) has developed a cropping systems model, Agricultural Production Systems SIMulator (APSIM), that can be used to support improved risk management in cropping systems. Whopper Cropper is the result of many years interaction between researchers and crop management advisers developing this modelling technology and make it widely available.

The modelling technology used to create Whopper Cropper was developed in the 1970s, when DPI began developing computer-based crop models. Advances in computer technology in the 1980s facilitated the development of interactive decision/discussion aids. The Whopper Cropper concept was first made operational as Field Crop Decision Aid (FCDA) in collaboration with leading DPI extension personnel.

User-driven design, a feature of FCDA, continues in the Whopper Cropper project. This design feature is implemented through an interactive development process in which researchers demonstrate the potential of the science and modelling technologies. The user interface, coverage of the database, and functionality of Whopper Cropper are interactively designed with the users to suit their evolving needs.

Whopper Cropper (Version 2.1) can be used to compare crop yields from a range of management options simulated using the APSIM cropping systems modelling environment. Whopper Cropper is a database of pre-run APSIM simulations with an easy-to-use graphical interface facilitating time series, probability and diagnostic analyses. This manual will guide you through the setting up and initial use of Whopper Cropper.