Irrigating Agriculture

published - 2 August 2019
By Adrian Smith & Alex Schultz
Head loss in open channel systems

Head loss is the drop in water level as water flows through a structure or along a channel.
This video uses a scale model to visually demonstrate the effect that different sized structures, incorrectly installed structures and poorly maintained channels can have on head loss and flow rate.
Special thanks to Rice …
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Farm Planning, Home, Irrigation Systems, Resources

published - 16 April 2019
By Rabi Maskey
Should I install a pipe and riser or an open channel irrigation system?

Recently there has been increased interest in pipe and riser system with the roll out of programs like Farm Water. Upgrading farm irrigation supply channels to pipes and risers can potentially improve the efficiency of water use on farm through lower seepage and evaporation losses.
Pipes vs channels
Irrigators need to examine …
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Farm Planning, Home, Irrigation Systems, Resources

published - 20 March 2019
By Alexis Killoran
Best practice surface irrigation upgrades in the Macalister ID

Project:  Best Practice Surface Irrigation (BPSI) and Reuse System
Area:  50 ha  
Water Source:  Modernised Southern Rural Water (SRW) outlet
Flow Rates: Previous: 7 ML/ha    Upgraded: 14 ML/ha
Watering Time:  67% faster Labour:   Halved Water saved: 0.2ML/ha/irrigation (34%)
Project Cost: $207,130
BPSI Rebate:  $5,720 BPSI
Project cost per hectare:  $4,143/ha
Area …
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Farm Planning, Home, Irrigation Systems, Resources

published - 8 February 2019
By Alexis Killoran
Upgrading to spray irrigation in the Macalister ID

At a glance
Project: Flood to spray conversion
Area: 36 hectares
Soil type: Moderate permeability
Water source: River diversion and reuse system
Production: Significant increase
Stock numbers: Tripled
Project cost: $138,314
Incentives rebate: $12,472
Project cost per hectare: $3,842
Automated: Remotely operated
Manual labour: Significantly reduced
The Farm
Alex and Olivia McArthur from Waverly Pastoral operate a dairy farm in Maffra. They milk …
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Farm Planning, Home, Irrigation Systems, Resources

published - 4 October 2018
By Nick O'Halloran
Renewables and Irrigation Webinar – What works and when? On and off grid systems

Agricultural research economists, Janine Powell and Jon Welsh (both AgEcon) share their findings about how and when incorporating renewable energy technologies and irrigation storage stack up.
Janine and Jon first began investigating the feasibility of renewable energy and irrigation in 2014 during the Department of Agricultures’ Carbon Farming Futures program and …
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Home, Irrigation Systems, Resources

published - 20 September 2018
By Alexis Killoran
Making sure you are ready for irrigation – maintenance tips

Due to the dry conditions experienced in the Macalister Irrigation District (MID), irrigation has started earlier, and perhaps may finish later than normal, so it is important to ensure your system is operating as efficiently as possible.
This will maximise the amount of grass or pasture you can grow and reduce …
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Home, Irrigation Systems, Resources

published - 10 September 2018
The design of a Centre Pivot or Lateral Move irrigator

System design can vary greatly for Centre Pivot or Lateral Move (CPLM) irrigation systems. Variations in design can have a large effect on capital and operating costs. Paddock shape, soil type, local climate, crops to be grown and power source will all influence design requirements. Understanding these design requirements for …
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Home, Irrigation Systems, Resources

published - 17 August 2018
Planning a Centre Pivot or Lateral Move system

When planning a Centre Pivot or Lateral Move (CPLM) system the following aspects need to be considered at the planning stage:

Physical location (area, shape, topography, soil type)
Water supply (flow rate, supply location, quality and quantity)
Irrigable area (area to be developed, system capacity)

Land area: A typical centre pivot system has a …
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Home, Irrigation Systems, Resources

published - 6 August 2018
Centre Pivot or Lateral Move – what to consider?

Centre Pivot and Lateral Move (CPLM) irrigation systems have many advantages over surface irrigation systems. However careful consideration regarding system design, as well as adequate system maintenance and management, is essential to achieving these benefits.  The following points need to be considered when installing CPLM systems:
Advantages and disadvantages of …
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Home, Irrigation Systems, Resources