An underperforming centre pivot or lateral move (CPLM) irrigation system can be costly. Poor performance can occur throughout the system including in the pump, motor, sprinklers, drive mechanism, and end gun. This can impact your system’s ability to operate at the expected capacity and can result in poor crop emergence, [...]
Are you planning to make a change to your irrigation system or are you new to irrigation in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District? The Irrigation in Northern Victoria booklet is now available to read online. This new booklet outlines the key things you should consider when selecting an efficient irrigation system and meet your planning approval obligations. The booklet also provides a great overview of the whole farm planning and approvals process, incentives, irrigation [...]
Upgrading irrigation infrastructure to achieve higher operational efficiencies and water productivity can present a significant upfront cost and knowing if it is the correct decision is not always straightforward. In a recent project two farms in the Murrumbidgee were studied with capital costs for irrigation improvements costing $237,500 (Farm 1) [...]
System drainage, or drainout is an issue faced by drip irrigators. It can cause uneven water application, restrict vehicle access, disease, environmental impacts and crop productivity loss. Drainage occurs after every irrigation event when water in the submains and laterals run to the lowest point in the orchard or vineyard. [...]
Ag tech Pushing your water Flier 2020
Kevin Ward has been dairy farming near Maffra for over 20 years. During the recent drought Kevin applied for a Whole Farm Plan through the Agriculture Victoria incentives program. The reduced availability and rising prices of irrigation water made his existing flood irrigation system uneconomical. The irrigation Whole Farm Plan [...]
Recently, some changes have occurred to the eligibility criteria for Irrigation Incentives in the Macalister Irrigation Area. BPSI (Best Practice Surface Irrigation) is now available ($400/ha) for anyone that is able to irrigate with a stable and consistent flow rate. This now allows river and groundwater diverters to be eligible [...]
Merbein Pistachios farm manager Chris Rayner says the technical knowledge and understanding he can now apply to their 60-hectare planting is “as good as it gets”. The grower was supported by the Mallee CMA’s Irrigation Efficiency Incentives Program open to irrigators for work that can be shown to save water, [...]
Agriculture Victoria in conjunction with Netafim Australia, is offering half day workshop for irrigators who are looking to receive the latest information on drip irrigation management. Presenters are Jeremy Giddings, Agriculture Victoria and Peter Henry, Agronomist, Netafim Australia. Attendees are encouraged to bring their irrigation design and to come prepared [...]
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 [...]
