Irrigating Agriculture

published - 13 March 2020
By Rob O'Connor
Managing autumn irrigation and stock feed requirements

Many farmers in the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District are preparing for autumn irrigation start-up.  Others have already started irrigating, largely on ‘the back’ of rain that fell in early March.
This article outlines some management tips to optimise autumn irrigation water use.  It also describes steps involved in costing out irrigation water …
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Farm Planning, Home, Irrigation Scheduling, Resources, Water Management

published - 14 February 2020
By Natalie Mason
Blue-green algae alerts for Sunraysia

Blue-green algae (BGA) blooms have been reported with increasing regularity in inland river networks in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.
Sunraysia recently experienced a BGA outbreak, which triggered a Red Alert, extending from Red Cliffs to Lock 10 (issued 3 December 2019 for Mildura Weir Pool, later extended, and …
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Home, Resources, Water Management

published - 4 February 2020
By Natalie Mason
Anthony Cirillo’s Farming Story: Mallee Irrigation Efficiency Incentives Program

Table grape grower Anthony Cirillo said help to install “cutting edge technology” had resulted in bigger crops and better-quality fruit using “the same, if not less, water”.
The irrigation efficiency incentives program from the Mallee Catchment Management Authority (CMA) helped to fast track conversion of older sprinkler systems to drip irrigation.
Upgrading …
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Farm Planning, Home, Irrigation Scheduling, Irrigation Systems, Resources, Water Management

published - 20 January 2020
By Natalie Mason
Domenic Sergi’s Farming Story: Mallee Irrigation Efficiency Incentives Program

SJDC Produce director Domenic Sergi said the irrigation efficiency incentive program through the Mallee CMA allowed them to “improve our farm infrastructure”, and “help bring our systems to modern standard, to best practice”.
With financial assistance from the incentive program and training through Agriculture Victoria they were able interpret soil surveys …
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Farm Planning, Home, Irrigation Scheduling, Irrigation Systems, Resources, Water Management

published - 18 January 2020
By Rob O'Connor & Tim Robinson
Seasonal Updates: Commodity outlooks and cropping options

In February 2020, there is another round of Seasonal Updates coming up with information on commodity outlooks and cropping options for the 2020 season.
These free, cross-industry sessions will assist irrigators with upcoming sowing, irrigation and stock feeding decisions.
The latest information will be provided on climate and commodity outlooks, along with …
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Farm Planning, Home, Resources, Water Management

published - 6 January 2020
By Natalie Mason
Draft Land and Water Management Plan for Mallee Irrigation Region

The Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region Land and Water Management Plan is being renewed and is now open for public comment.
The plan sets out objectives and actions to deliver sustainable irrigation in the Mallee catchment area.
Mallee Irrigation Region planning area (Mallee CMA)
The latest draft:

Provides the framework to help irrigators carry on …
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Farm Planning, Home, Resources, Water Management

published - 17 December 2019
By Matthew Hawken
LCIR Land and Water Management Plan renewal

LAND AND WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN RENEWAL
The Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Region Land and Water Management Plan is currently being updated.
The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is seeking community input to identify local irrigation farming priorities for attracting regional funding.
Community members can provide valuable input into the draft discussion paper by …
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Farm Planning, Home, Resources, Water Management

published - 17 December 2019
By Nick O'Halloran & Lyndall Ash
Irrigating with saline groundwater in the GMID

Shallow groundwater is a valuable water resource used by many irrigators in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District (GMID), particularly in times of low water allocation and high water prices. However, careful planning and management is essential for maintaining aquifer quality and avoiding negative impacts of irrigating with saline water on …
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Home, Resources, Water Management

published - 29 November 2019
By Natalie Mason
Nursery Irrigation Workshop in the Mallee region

During November, Agriculture Victoria hosted a free, two-day WATERWORK Nursery Irrigation Workshop at SuniTAFE Farm, which provided participants with the latest information on nursery irrigation management.
Nursery irrigation consultant, Bill Yiasoumi, shared his expertise with thirty-three attendees including students, nursery managers and employees, and farmers.
The WATERWORK workshop has been run for …
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Home, Irrigation Systems, Resources, Water Management

published - 12 November 2019
By Ruby Barnes
Seasonal Outlook September 2019 – Water trading

Agriculture Victoria with Plan2Farm delivered 4 Dry Seasonal Conditions workshops in September across Northern Victoria.  Watch the presentation on Water trading by Mark Mitchell below.
Mark is a senior policy officer with the retail entitlements and markets team with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), based in Tatura. Mark has …
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Farm Planning, Home, Resources, Water Management