Download - State of the art Edition 2 - VRO | Agriculture Victoriavro.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/... · The automation system on each outlet has solar powered batteries that

StateoftheartEdition2

-onirrigationfarmsInside this issue

• AutomatedIrrigation 1

• WaterDeliveryEfficiency 4

• AdaptingtoChange 7

• CentrePivotIrrigation 10

• AGradualTransitiontoDryland 13

What change have you implemented?

RobandLynneMcCartneyinstalledanAWMAautomatedirrigationsystemwithtelemetryon13fastflowoutlets.ThesystemwasinstalledontheirTaturapropertyabouttwoyearsagoandservices20hectaresofirrigatedperennialpasturebays.Additionalstopsandchannelmodificationswerealsoinstalledtocomplimentthetechnologyupgrade.

Theautomationsystemoneachoutlethassolarpoweredbatteriesthatoperatethegateandislinkedbyradiotoapersonalcomputerinthefarmofficeviaanaerialinstalledonthehome’sroof.Irrigationtiminganddurationcanbeprogrammedintothesystemtomakethetaskofirrigatingthebaysfullyautomatic.

Why did you implement this change?

ToRobandLynne,automationseemedtobethenextstepindevelopingtheirfarm,oncelasergradinganddrainageimprovementswerecompleted.Themainbenefitsdrivingtheinstallationincludedtimesavingandreductionsinlabourcosts.Theyoptedfortelemetryoverotherformsofautomation,suchasbasicclocktimers,becausetelemetryofferedahigherlevelofconvenience.Clocktimersorsimilarbasicunitswouldhavemeanttherewasstillaneedtowalkaroundandset,orrelocate,theautomationunitsregularly.

Where did you find information to help guide you?

RobandLynnegainedinformationonthetechnologythroughspeakingtootherfarmers,professionalsinthefieldandattendingfielddays.

Who:RobandLynneMcCartney

Where: Tatura

Enterprise:Dairy

What:Fullyautomatedbayoutletswithtelemetrycontrol

Stateoftheart-onirrigationfarms

AutomatedIrrigation

AutomatedIrrigationSystem

Onthefarm

2 Stateoftheart-onirrigationfarms-Edition2

Were you able to gain any assistance for the change?

Priortotheinstallation,RobandLynneweresuccessfulingaininga$20,000grantthroughtheAustralianGovernmentdroughtassistanceprogramforirrigationsystemimprovements,andobtainedafurther$6,600grantthroughtheGoulburnBrokenCMAfarmwatersavingsprogram.Bothgrantscontributedtothecostofpurchasingandinstallingtheautomationsystem.

(SeeResearchsectionbelowfortypicalsystemcosts.)

What was the result of the change and was the investment worthwhile?

Asidefromsomeminorinitialproblems,RobandLynnebelievethebenefitsofimplementingthetechnologyhaveoutweighedthecost,particularlyinreducingtimeandlabourinputs.Quantifyingthesebenefitsisdifficulthowever,becauseinlargeparttheyinvolveaspectsdifficulttomeasure,suchasimprovementsintheirlifestyleandcreatinggreateropportunitytoworkonotheraspectsoftheirfarmbusiness.

Were there any set-backs when implementing the automation?

Althoughtherewasnoexactblue-printtofollow,RobandLynnewereabletogainenoughinformationtomakethetechnologyworkfortheirspecificfarmingsituation.Thereisnosingleautomationsystemthatfitsallcircumstances–sodespitefeelingwellinformed,therewasaslightlevelofriskingettingthesystemcustomisedtotheirfarm.Therewasaninitialperiodwherethecouplefoundithardtoputtheirentiretrustinthesystem,untilithadproveditself.Theystillfindirrigationdurationsometimesrequiresadjustmenttoavoidunderoroverirrigation,dependinguponthestageofpasturegrowth,grazingpressureandchannelsupplylevelvariations.

Alackoftraininginutilisingthecomputersoftwarewasidentifiedasaminorissue.Theyfoundthesoftwarewasnotoverlycomplicatedandcouldbeinstalledontheirexistingcomputer.Why do you think the change has worked?

AutomationwithtelemetryhasworkedwellonthispartoftheMcCartney’sfarm,whichisbasedonperennialpastureirrigatedintensivelythroughouttheirrigationseason.Themajorbenefitsareinlabourandwatersavings,andsoinvestmentinsuchatechnologyupgrademaynotbejustifiedonirrigationbaysthatarenotirrigatedasintensively,suchasthosegrowingannualpasturesandcrops.

Do you think other farmers would be interested in this change?

Theuptakeofthistechnologybyotherirrigatorswoulddependonafewfactors,includingfinancialresources,willingnesstoadoptnewtechnologies,prioritiesandindividualfarmcircumstances,andfutureplans.Intherightsetting,thesysteminstalledbyRobandLynneMcCartneycanbeaveryusefulupgrade.Technologiessuchasthese,whichmakeirrigationmoreefficientandeasierontheoperator,arelikelytobecomemoreprevalent.

What recommendations would you give to those thinking of installing such technologies?

Robhasfounditisessentialtoactuallycheckchannels,outlets,baysanddrainsregularly.Withthetelemetrysysteminplace,itiseasytojustassumealltheinfrastructureisingoodorder,wheninfacttherecouldbebankdecay,blockagesinthechannel,orleaksaroundthestops.Channelproblemssuchasthesealsohavethepotentialtoaffecttheirrigationschedulesrequired,astheautomationunitsdonotallowforchannelblowoutsorchangesinwatercommandlevels.

Any further comments?

TheMcCartney’sTaturafarmisnotyetpartofthemodernisedchannelnetwork.Thecoupleareinterestedtoseehowmuchmoreeffectivetheirautomationunitswillbeoncetheirsupplyismodernisedandtheyhaveamorereliablewatersupplylevelontotheirproperty.Eventually,thecouplewouldalsoliketolookintoinstallingsoilmoisturemonitoringprobesintheirirrigationbays,andhavethemtiedintotheautomaticirrigationunits.Thiscouldthenallowthemtomorecloselymatchirrigationstothewaterrequirementsoftheirirrigatedcrops.

AutomatedIrrigationSystem

3Stateoftheart-onirrigationfarms-Edition2

• FormoreinformationaboutIrrigationTechnologies,goto:www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/lwm_farmwater_irrigation_technologies

• Talktoanirrigationsurveyoranddesigneroroneofthecompaniesthatsuppliesandinstallsautomatedirrigationsystems

• CallDPIatEchuca(0354821922)orTatura(0358335700)andasktospeaktoanIrrigationModernisationOfficer.

• Talktootherfarmerswhohaveinstalledautomaticirrigationandtelemetrycontrolsystems

• Outletandtelemetrysystemcostsaretypicallyintherangeof$1,000–$1,800peroutlet,dependinguponthetypeofbayoutletandsystemsize.

FurtherinformationResearchTherehasbeenverylittleresearchintothewatersavingsbenefitsofautomatingborder-checkirrigation.Improvedlifestyleforthefarmers,andsavingsinlabourarelikelytobethemajorbenefitsintheGoulburnMurrayIrrigationDistrict(GMID).Unlikewater,whichvariesasacostofproductionfromyeartoyear,labourcostscanbeassumedtocontinuetoincreaseintothefuture,especiallyasskilledfarmlabourbecomesscarcer.

AdesktopstudybasedoninformationfromtwofarmsinnorthernVictoriareportedbyLavisetal.(2007)concludedthatborder-checkautomationwasassociatedwithreductionsinwateruseofbetween5%and9%,dependingonsoiltype.Thesavingsarosebecausewithautomation,irrigatorscouldcontinuetoirrigatebaysindividuallyandefficientlyatbusytimes,ratherthanadoptingthecommonpracticeofirrigatingseveralbaysatonceforlongerdurationatlowerflowrates,reducingtheirlabourinputbutleadingtodeepdrainageandwaterlosses.

Foragivenborder-checkirrigationlayout,thetwofactorsanirrigatorcancontrolaretherateandthedurationofwaterflowontotheirrigationbay.Bothaffectthequantityofwaterappliedtothebay.Ofthesetwocontrols,thedurationofirrigationistheeasiesttoadjust,butitsusehasmainlybeenbasedonexperienceratherthansciencetodate,becauseofarangeofissuessuchas:

• variableirrigationsupplylevels,andthereforevariableflowratesontofarmsandirrigationbays,whichcauseinconsistenciesforautomatedsystems.Modernisationoftheirrigationsupplysystempromisestogreatlyimprovetheconsistencyofirrigationflowratesandalleviatethisproblem.

• therequirementtoorderwater4daysaheadhasmeantthemoisturestatusofbaysatthetimeofirrigation,andthereforethecropwaterrequirement,couldbequitevariable.Again,systemmodernisationhaslargelyremovedthisasaproblem,withirrigatorsnowabletoorderandcancelwaterwithmuchlessnotice,meaningirrigationscannowbeappliedmoreconsistentlywithrespecttocropmoisturerequirement.

Modernisationshouldprovidemoreuniformoperatingconditionsthataremuchmoreconducivetoefficientsurfaceirrigationautomation.Inaddition,newmeteringwillprovidemoreaccuratemeasuresoftheactualflowrateandvolumeofwaterapplied.

Adoptionof‘highflow’irrigation,atflowratesabouttwicethelevelsofrecentbestpractice,willplacegreaterdemandsonirrigatorswithrespecttotimingofirrigationduration–mistakesathighflowrateswillbecorrespondinglygreater.Adoptionofautomation,asmadebyRobandLynne,willhelpensuretheycaptureanywatersavingbenefitsofhighflowrateirrigation.

Reference

Lavis,A.,Maskey,R.andLawler,D.(2007)QuantificationoftheFarmWaterSavingsWithAutomation,DepartmentofPrimaryIndustries,Victoria.

www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/lwm_farmwater_irrigation_technologies


Background

ThisfarmhasbeenintheRyanfamilysince1865.AmajorchangetookplaceunderthepartnershipofJohnRyan’sfatheranduncle(WLandWLRyan)in1956whentheydecidedtodevelopaprivateirrigationdiversionfromLakeMulwalaontheMurrayRiver.Waterwasdeliveredtotheirpropertiesviaa16kmopen,earthenchannel.Soiltypesarepredominantlylightsandyclayloamswithhighinfiltrationrates,growingcereals,oatenhayandlucerne.

JohnandHeleneRyanboughtoutthepartnershipin1997.Their800hapropertythenhadawaterentitlementof1,171MLofhighsecuritywaterwhichtheenterpriseusedfully.TheRyan’shadalwaysknowntheir16kmsupplychannelwasinefficient,buttheproblemreallyhithomeduringthedroughtyearsof2006to2010whenseepage,leakageandevaporationlossesfromthesupplychannelconsumedmostoftheirreducedwaterallocations.

What change have you implemented and why did you do it?

Theoriginal16kmopenchannelsystemhasbeenreplacedwitha4.1kmpipelinepumpingdirectlyfromtheMurrayRiver.

UsingmethodsestablishedbyGoulburn-MurrayWaterandtheNorthernVictoriaIrrigationRenewalProjectforestimatinglossesinsimilaropenchannelsystems,theDepartmentofPrimaryIndustriescalculatedtheopenchannelsystemhadannuallossesof552MLduetoleakage,seepageandevaporation.Thenewpipelinesystemhasvirtuallyeliminatedthesewaterlossesfromthedeliverysystem,reducedlabourandon-goingmanagementcostsandwillenablediversificationofcroppingoptionsontheRyanfarm.


Theprojecthadbeena‘pipedream’formorethanadecade,leftundevelopedduetothepotentialcost.JohnRyaneventuallydiscussedtheideawithDennisMoonfromCampaspeIrrigation,anirrigationdesignerandsupplier,whothendevelopeddesignoptionsandadvancedtheconcept.

InformationabouttheOn-FarmIrrigationEfficiencyProgram–whichhelpedfundtheproject–wasprovidedbytheDepartmentofPrimaryIndustries.TheOn-FarmIrrigationEfficiencyProgramisadministeredbytheGoulburnBrokenCatchmentManagementAuthority.

How much did it cost?

Thetotalcosttoremovetheoldsystemandinstallthepipelinewasapproximately$1.5million.About75%ofthiswasobtainedthroughtheAustralianGovernment’sOn-FarmIrrigationEfficiencyProgram,withtheRyansagreeingtotransfer276MLofwaterinordertoreceivefundingtoassistwiththeon-groundworksinvolved.


TheRyanfamilybelievestheirenterprisewillbemoreproductiveandprofitableasaresultofinstallingthepipeline.Theyfeelthefarmisnowmoreviableandmoreresilienttothepotentialimpactsoffutureclimateandwaterpolicychallengesbecausetheycanusetheirwaterassetmoreefficiently.

TheRyansbelievecropyieldswerelowinthepastduetotheirinefficientirrigationdeliverysystem.Theybelievethenewsystemwillenablenew,highervaluecroppingoptions.What are the benefits?

Theprojecthasdeliveredarangeofbenefits.Waterlossesassociatedwiththeopenchannelsystemarenolongeranissue.Improvedwatermetering,installedaspartofthenewsystem,providestheabilitytoaccuratelymeasurethewateruseofindividualcrops.

Maintenancecostsofthepipelinearemuchlowercomparedwiththeopenchannel,withherbicidespraying,channelbankrepairsandde-siltingoftheopenchannelnolongerrequired.Landoccupiedbychannelscannowbereturnedtoproductivepurposes.

Thepressurisedwatersupplywillallowmoreprecisedeliveryofwaterwhenrequired,whichshouldleadtoimprovedcropyieldsandtheabilitytodiversifycrops.

Apressurisedsupplytothefarmalsopavesthewayforpossiblefutureprecisionirrigationdevelopment,basedonsprinklerordripirrigationtechnologies.

Who:TheRyanFamily

Where: Yarrawonga

Enterprise:Cropping

What:Oldchannelsystemreplacedbypipeline


WaterDeliveryEfficiency

Onthefarm


Overall,theRyanfamilyhaseveryconfidencethenewpipelinewilldeliverthedesiredresult.Thenewsystemwilldefinitelyprovideabetterirrigationsystem,ensuringthelongtermviabilityofthepropertyandincreasingitsvalue.Thenewsystemwillbeutilisedtogrowmoreprofitablecropsandallowmorediverseoptionstobeconsidered.

Are there any disadvantages?

Thepipelinehasahigherenergyusecomparedwiththeopenchannelsystem,whichisabusinessriskifenergycostscontinuetorise.TheRyansconsideredthetrade-offbetweenongoingpumpingcostsandthehigherinitialcostofinstallingalargerdiameterpipeoverthepipelinelength.Byinstallingalargerdiameterpipethantherecommendedminimumsize,theRyansreducedtheongoingenergycostofpumping,andtheimpactoffutureenergycostincreases.

Projectmanagementcosts,timetakenawayfromthecorecroppingbusinessandtheconsequentimpactontheRyan’slifestyle,wereissuesduringtheconstructionoftheproject.

Do you think other farmers would be interested in the change? Manypeople,includingneighbouringlandholders,havediscussedthesystemwiththeRyanfamilyandhavewatchedtheprogressoftheprojectoverthepast15months.

Are there situations where you think it wouldn’t work?

Replacinganeffectivelylinedchannelwithapipelinewouldhavelittlenetbenefit.Shortlengthsofopenchannel,lessthanonekilometre,areunlikelytowarrantconsiderationofapressurisedpipelineforwatersavingsalone.Situationswherelowercosttechnologycouldbeeffectivelyutilisedtosupplywatertothepropertywithminimallosses,inparticularwithgravitydelivery,maybepreferabletotheexpenseofpumpingthroughapipeline.

Is there anything else to add?

Thedecisiontoinstallalargerdiameterpipelinethantheminimumrecommended,toreducepumpingenergycosts,wasworthwhile.Thiswasatrade-offbetweenaninitialhighercost,largerdiameterpipeswithlowerongoingpumpingcosts,andlessexpensive,smallerdiameterpipeswithhigherongoingpumpingcosts.

TheprojecthasrequiredflexiblethinkingbyboththeRyansandtheircontractorstoachievethefinalresult.Theyrequiredagoodsolicitorwillingandabletodealwithsuchaproject,andneededtofindandusethebestpeopleavailableinotherareas.

PipelinebeinginstalledOpenchannelsystem


• Formoreinformationaboutirrigationtechnologies,goto:www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/lwm_farmwater_irrigation_technologies

• Talktoanirrigationsurveyoranddesigneroracompanythatsuppliesandinstallspipelinesystems.

• [email protected]

Furtherinformation

ResearchIrrigationsupplychannellossesthroughouttheregionaccountforamajorproportionofallthewaterdivertedfromtheMurrayandGoulburnriversystems.Channelseepage,leakageandevaporationlossesestimatedforthelargeStuartMurraychannelsystemforthe2005/6seasontotalled31.5%ofentitlement(DSE,2010).Fortheprivate16kmlongchannelsystemthatpreviouslysuppliedtheRyan’sproperty,lossesduetoseepage,leakageandevaporationofabout50%arequiteunderstandable,consideringthepermeablesoiltypesanditssmallchannelsize.

PreventingsuchsignificantwaterlossesthroughpipingthesupplyclearlymakesalotofsensefortheRyans,whoduringthedroughtyearsmayhavepaidforalotofveryexpensivewaterthatdidnotendupontheircrops.

Formanyirrigatorsconsideringwhethertopipefarmchannels,thewatersavingsalonewouldnotjustifytheinstallationandongoingoperatingcostsofapipedsystem.Inthecontextofthewholefarmoperationhowever,wherewaterisonlyoneofmanyinputstothefarmingsystem,otheraspectsshouldbeconsideredinthedecision.Theseconsiderationsincludelabourandmaintenancecosts,flexibilityinfarmoperationsandlayout,increasedproduction,newcropoptions,andimprovedlifestylefortheoperators.

Thekeyistocarefullyconsiderthesedecisionsinthecontextofthewholefarmbusinessandthefarmingfamily’splansforthefuture.ToolsavailablethroughDPIsuchasWholeFarmPlanningcanhelpirrigatorsdecidewhattodointheirparticularcircumstances.

Reference

DSE,2010.WaterSavingsProtocolTechnicalManualfortheQuantificationofWaterSavings.DepartmentofSustainabilityandEnvironment

Thecompletedpipelineinstallation




Background

ColinMyerspurchasedhispropertyfromhisfatherintheearly1980s.Itconsistedofmarginallandwithlargeareasaffectedbysalinity.Overtheyears,thepropertyhasbeenusedforcropping,mixedgrazingandvegetablegrowing.Upuntil1990,thetraditionalcarryingcapacitywasaround1,000ewes(1,000DSE)on230hectares.Tosustainthiscarryingcapacity,mostoftheincomegeneratedfromthepropertywasgoingoutinirrigationwaterpumpingcosts(around80%).Thepropertywasnotonagravitysupplysystem,soallirrigationwaterhadtobeliftedfromtheLoddonRiver.Unreliableriverlevelsmadeirrigationsdifficult,withthepumpschangingflowastheriverleveldropped.Theenergycostsinvolvedwerehigh,andfloodsdamagedpumpsandmotorsseveraltimesinthe1980s.


Thedecisiontodramaticallyreduceirrigationonthepropertyoccurredintheearly1990s.Basedonincreasingcosts,salinity,andotherdifficultiescombinedwithreducingcommodityprices,thedecisioncameeasily.Thedecisionresultedinthesellingofalargeproportionofthewaterentitlement.

Colinthenbecameinterestedintriallingnativegrassesonhispropertyduetotheirresiliencetodroughtconditionsandsalinity.Nativegrasseshaveanaturaltendencytoimprovegroundcover,suchanimportantaspectinfightingsalinityandwinderosion.


Throughoutthe1970sand1980sirrigationwasbecomingincreasinglyunprofitablefortheenterprise.Theirrigationwatersourcewasbecomingmoreunreliableintermsofallocationandquality,whilepumpingcostswereeverincreasing.Changingfromfullirrigationtomainlydrylandfarming,withintermittentirrigationwhenhighriverflowspermitted,isclosertonaturalrainfallevents.


Wantingtoknowmoreabouthissoilsandnewmethodsfordealingwithsalinity,ColinjoinedthelocalLandcareGroup,wherehelearntwhathissoilsrequiredforoptimumhealthandthereforeperformanceinthelocalarea.Theaddedbenefitofthisknowledgewasreducedrelianceonchemicals,bothfertiliserandherbicide.

“Ifthesoilhastherightnutrientsinit,quiteoften

youwouldn’tneedtousesomanychemicals.So

westartedtolookatwhatthesoilsneedandfound

organicmatterwasthemainlackingingredient

(downto1%)andlowcalciumandhighmagnesium.”

Were you able to gain any assistance for the change?

Apartfromsomeassistanceinestablishingtallwheatgrass,therehavenotbeenanysourcesoffinancialassistanceavailabletoColinforthelongtermchangeshehasmade.ManyofthechangeshavebeenmadeonthebasisofspeakingtolocalDPItechnicalstaff,andasmanytechnicalpeopleaspossiblewhowereabletohelp.

“PeopleunderstoodwhereIwastryingtogettobut

wereunsureonhowtogetthereandbeviableatthe

sametime.”

OtherchangeshavebeentheresultofColintriallingdifferentapproachesandlearningfromhissuccessesandfailures.

Who:ColinMyers

Where: Kerang

Enterprise:Sheepandfatlambs

What:Transitioningtodrylandfarming


AdaptingtoChange

Onthefarm



”Theextremelyhighdroughttoleranceofnative

grassesandshrubshelpstomakethefarmmuchmore

flexibleandresilient.Whilstwehadtomovetoa

muchlowerstockingrate,wealsodrasticallyreduced

alltheotherinputs;noirrigation,nofertilisers,no

spraysandmuchreducedlabour.Youmusttakethat

intoaccountwhenyoulookatourstockingrate.”

Colinhasn’tgonecompletelytonativegrasses,sostillreliesontheintroducedpasturespeciesonthepropertyforsomeproduction.Hesaystheamountofcloverandryegrassproductionisnowreallyimpressive.Colinsuspectsithassomethingtodowiththenativesprovidinggroundcover,andreducingsoilmoisturelossandwinderosion.

Althoughareductionincarryingcapacity(downtoapproximately400ewes),Colinnowsees80%ofincomegotohispocketratherthantocosts.Whilstirrigationisstillpossible(1996wasthelastevent),itisColin’sapproachtoflexiblefarmingandadaptationtochangingcircumstancesthatispayingdividends.

Why do you think the change has worked?

“We’veestablishedandencouragedanumberofnativespeciesonourproperty,includinghedgesaltbush,windmillgrass,speargrass,ratstailedcouch(growsinsalineareas),rubysaltbushandcreepingsaltbush.Allofthesearevitaltostopthelandfromdryingoutandcopingwiththesoilconditionswehad.”

Do you think other farmers would be interested in this change?

20yearsagothelandinpicture(below)wasbare,salinegroundthatwouldn’tgrowanything.Thisareahasstillneverbeenwateredexceptforflooding.Throughcarefulmanagementofstockingratesandlookingaftersoilhealth,thisareahasbeenturnedintoviable,productiveagriculturalland.

Colinsaysthewholepropertyisnowproductive,whichisremarkablegiventheconditionitwasin30yearsago.Thediversityofspeciesthatarenowpresentonthepropertyhasseeminglyincreasedthehealthofhisstock.AnexampleofthisisColin’sstockpreferencetograzespeciessuchasBeadbush,whichreplacestheneedforstocksaltlicks.

What recommendations would you give to those thinking of getting out of irrigation?

ThekeytothesuccessfulestablishmentandutilisationofnativegrassesandshrubsonColin’spropertyhasbeentocarefullymanagestockingratesandgrazing.Reducingstockingratestoasustainablelevel,aswellasthetimingofgrazingtoallowseedbankestablishmentandgermination,isvital.

Any further comments?

“I’mnowquitehappytohandthepropertyoverto

mychildrengiventhegoodsoilhealthandincreased

biodiversitynowpresent.”

ColinMyersstandingonpreviouslyseverelysalinisedland


• Formanycasestudies,innovationsandtechnicalinformationaboutperennialsinprofitablefarmingsystems,seetheFutureFarmIndustriesCRCwebsite:www.futurefarmonline.com.au

• Forfurtherinformationonsoilhealth,seetheDPIVictoriaVictorianResourcesOnlinewebsite:www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/soilhealth_toolbox_managing_soil

Furtherinformation

ResearchColin’sexperienceindealingwitharangeofadversefarmingconditionsisagreatexampleofsomeoneadaptingtochange,andmakingpositivedecisionstotakebacksomecontrolovertheircircumstances.

Priortothedrought,thelandaroundKerangwasseverelyaffectedbysalinity.Whileirrigationonthebettersoilsonthepropertymayhavemaintainedproductivityonthoseareas,itislikelysalinityinthesurroundingareaswasalsomadeworse.

Colin’sdecisiontoreduceinputcostsalsochallengedtheconventionalfarmingbusinessmodelthatusuallyseekstoexpandorbecomemoreintensive.Whileclearlysuchdecisionswillnotsuitmany,thechoicesmadeareavalidoptionwhendealingwithchangesthatareforceduponthefarmenterprise.

Muchresearchandexperiencehasbeengainedinthepasttwodecadesintheimportanceofsoilhealth–especiallyhighorganiccontent,healthybiologicalactivityandplantselectionsthatsuitthesoil.Grazingmanagementalsoplaysaverybigpartinbuildingresilienceinthepastureplantsandsoilhealth,withstockingrates,durationandtimingallveryimportantinimprovingandmaintainingthehealthofthesoilandplants.

Withtheintroductionofwatermarkets,andmorerecentlybuybackprogramsforirrigationwater,manyfarmerswillbefacedwithhavingtomakedecisionsabouttheirfarmingfuture.ColinMyers’decisionstosellwateranddevelopalessintensivefarmbusinesshavegeneratedarangeofbenefitsforhim.Reducingdebtlevels,reducedlabourinput,improvedlifestyle,reducedenergyinputs,reducedherbicideusage,lowerfertiliserinputs,improveddroughtresilience,healthierstockandsoils,controloversalinity,andavailabilityofwatercreatedforotherusers–thesearesomeofmanypositivesresultingfromthechangesColinhasmadeinresponsetothechallengesthathavearisenoverthepast20years.

Previouslyseverelysalinisedland


www.futurefarmonline.com.au

www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/soilhealth_toolbox_managing_soil

www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/soilhealth_toolbox_managing_soil

Background

EdandMoiraBourke,alongwithsonDanandhiswifeCaitlin,farmapproximately1,500acres(over600hectares)atNathalia.Edhasbeenrunningthefamilyfarmsincetakingoverfromhisfathermorethan20yearsago,andheandMoirahavenowbeenjoinedbyDanandCaitlininthefamilyfarmingoperation.

Theyrun900firstcrossewesand55beefcattleaswellascroppingwheat,barleyandoatsonthepropertywhichcomprisesmainlysandyloam/loamsoiltypes.

ThepropertyisirrigatedviaanelectricpumpsiteddirectlyontheBrokenCreek(ontheMurraysystem)aswellasanumberofoutletsservicedbytheSheppartonchannelsystem.


Originally,thepropertywaslaidoutforfloodirrigation.In2009theBourkeshadaWholeFarmPlanpreparedfortheproperty.OneofthereasonsfordevelopingtheWholeFarmPlanwasthefact40hectaresonthehomepropertyideallylentitselftoacentrepivot.Itwasagoodsizedsectionofland,hadsandysoilsandtheirrigationinfrastructureneededupgrading.

Thecentrepivotwasinstalledtwoyearsago.TheBourkescouldn’tspeakhighlyenoughoftheexcellentservicetheyreceivedbeforeandduringtheinstallation.

“Theywereveryhelpfulansweringquestionsand

explainingthingsclearlysotherewerenoconcerns

astowhetherweweredoingtherightthing.”

Whiletheyhadn’teverirrigatedusingacentrepivotbefore,theBourkeswereconfidentitwouldbesuitabletechnologyforthispartoftheirproperty.OtherthanspeakingtothePlanrightirrigationdesignerandthestafffromRichRiverIrrigation,theydidn’tactivelysearchforinformationbeforemakingthedecisiontoinstallthecentrepivotontheirproperty.


TheBourkessaidtherewereanumberofreasonsforwantingtoinstallthecentrepivot.Whiletheattractionofimprovingthewateruseefficiencyonthatsectionofpropertyfeaturedhighly,therewerealsotheaddedbenefitsofupgradingtheirrigationinfrastructure,lifestylebenefitsinreducingthetimeinvolvedinwatering,aswellasprovidingadditionalcropproductionoptions.

The40hectareslentitselfperfectlytoacentrepivot;ithadsandysoil,wasagoodsizedarea,locatedclosetotheBrokenCreekandhadnonativevegetationimpacts.

Who:Moira,EdandDanBourke

Where: Nathalia

Enterprise:Sheep,BeefandCropping

What:Conversionoffloodtosprayirrigation


CentrePivotIrrigation

CentrePivotIrrigationSystem

Onthefarm


What did it cost to make the change?

TheBourkesestimateitcostaround$200,000toinstallthecentrepivotandassociatedstructures.Theactualpivotcostcloseto$185,000andanother$20,000wasrequiredtoupgradethetransformerfortheelectricpump.

Therewasverylittleworkrequiredtodecommissiontheoldfloodirrigationsetup.Onefenceneededtoberemoved,farmchannelsfilledinandbayoutletspulledout.Veryminimalearthworkswererequired.

TheBourkesfundedtheentireprojectthemselvesasnootherfundingopportunitieswereavailableatthetime.

What was the result of the change?

Oneofthemostnoticeablechangessincetheinstallationofthecentrepivothasbeenthereductioninwaterusage.Toirrigatethe40hectarespreviously,theywoulduse20MLperirrigation.Withthecentrepivot,thishasbeenreducedto7.5MLperwatering*.Theuniformityofirrigationhasalsobeenapositiveoutcome,withtheBourkesnotingthereisnowamuchmoreevendistributionacrosstheirrigatedarea.

Anotherbigplushasbeentheabilitytosowgrazingwheattoprovidefeedfortheewesandlambsoverwinter,autumnandearlyspring.Whenitwasfloodirrigated,thisoptionwasn’tpractical,especiallyduringthedryyears.TheBourkessaythecentrepivothasledtoanincreaseintheproductivityofthe40hectareswhichwaspreviouslyjustusedasagrazingpaddock.Whilenotabletoquoteexactfigures,theyfirmlybelieveithasimprovedthetonnageperhectareproducedfromthatarea.

Theyalsohighlightthatwateringisaloteasiernow,withmoretimeavailabletodootherthings.

“Becauseitisanautomatedsystem,there’snoneed

tobeupatnightchasingwater.Itdefinitelysaves

time.”

TheonlynegativefromtheBourkes’perspectivewasthefacttheyhadtopaythefullcostofupgradingthepower-supplytransformerforthepump.However,insayingthis,theydidnotetheassistancetheyreceivedfromPowercorduringthistimewasmuchappreciated,astheymadetheprocesseasierbykeepingtheBourkesinformedandup-to-dateduringtheupgrade.

Was the investment worthwhile?

TheBourkescommentedtheydidn’trealisehowmuchwatertheywouldsavebeforetheybeganirrigatingwiththecentrepivot.Theyknewtherewouldbewatersavings,buthadn’treallycrunchedthenumbers.

Althoughnotabletoaccessanyfundingassistancetoinstallthecentrepivot,thefamilybelievesitisthebestthingtheyhavedonetoimprovetheirfarm.Havingtheabilitytoproduceautumnandspringfeedfortheirewesandlambsisahugebenefittotheirfarmingoperations.

Giventheywerepreviouslypumpingwaterontotheproperty,thehigherpumpingcostsforthecentrepivotwasn’tmuchofanissueforthem.TheBourkesareawareitonlytakes36hourstodoafullcycleofwatering,andthiscanbedoneontheweekendwhentheycanuseoff-peakelectricity.Theusageofoff-peakelectricityalongwithshorterpumpingtimeshasgreatlyreducedtheamountofelectricityused,andsoreducedtheoperatingcost.

Itmighthavebeenadifferentstoryiftheirpreviousirrigationsystemhadbeengravityfed,buttheirsoiltypes,locationonthefarm,existinglayoutonthe40hectaresandtheirneedforbetterwaterusage,meantthecentrepivotwouldprobablystillhavebeentheirpreferredoption.

Would other farmers be interested in the change? TheBourkescommentedthatotherfarmersintheareahavealreadyvisitedtheirpropertytolookatthesetupanddiscussthedifferenceithasmadetotheBourkes’productivityandfarmingoperation.Whilesomeofthesevisitsarepurelyoutofcuriosityaboutthenewtechnology,theysayanumberofvisitorsarepeoplegenuinelyinterestedinthepotentialofacentrepivotfortheirownproperties.

Are pivots for everybody?

TheBourkesnotethateverysituationisdifferentandacentrepivotmightnotbetheanswerforallproperties.TheybelievetheirWholeFarmPlanwasusefulinidentifyingthepotentialforacentrepivotonthatparticularpartoftheirproperty.Ifthesoiltypeshadbeenheavier,thegravityfloodinfrastructurebeenmodernisedornativevegetationprevalent,acentrepivotwouldnothavebeenthemostappropriatetechnologytoinstall.Individualsshouldtakeintoaccounttheirowncircumstancesbeforemakingsuchadecision.Apotentialuserneedstounderstandwhattheywanttoachieveandwhatthecostisgoingtobe.FortheBourkes,thefuturebenefitsofthecentrepivotfaroutweighedtheinitialcostofinstallation.

* Beawaretotalwateruseshouldbeassessednotjustperirrigation


Formoreinformationaboutirrigationtechnologies,goto:

• www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/lwm_farmwater_efficient_irrigation_design_4.2

• DPIAgNote#AG1280.CentrePivotSystemCapacity.Published:June2007

• DPIAgNote#AG1281CentrePivots–CapitalandOperatingCostTrade-off.Published:June2007

• Talktoanirrigationsurveyoranddesigneroracompanythatsuppliesandinstallstravellingirrigationsystems.


• Talktootherfarmerswhohaveinstalledcentrepivotorlateralmoveirrigators.

Furtherinformation

ResearchCentrePivotirrigatorsprovideprecisecontroloverirrigationapplicationratesandareparticularlywellsuitedtoirrigatinglightersoils.IntheBourkes’particularsituation,thefacttheyalreadypumpedwaterfromtheBrokenCreektosupplyaninefficientborder-check(flood)irrigationlayout,madeacentrepivotsystemagoodoption.Installingacentrepivotsystemmeanttheyavoidedlasergradingcosts,andbypumpinglessvolumeofwater(7.5MLperirrigationcomparedto20ML,albeitatahigherpressure),hasalsohelpedtocontainthepumpingcost.

AcomprehensiveguideforanyoneconsideringwhethertoinstallacentrepivotorlateralmoveirrigatorcanbefoundontheDPIwebsiteattheaddressgivenbelow.

Thekeypointstonoteareasfollows:

• Afarmwatersupplysystemneedstobeabletosupplythevolumeofwaterrequiredondemand.Thisisgenerallymoredifficultintheun-modernisedchannelnetworkreliantuponmanualdeliveries,especiallyonsmallerchannels.

• Correctsizingofthesystemneedstotakeintoaccountanumberofissues,butthemainlimitisthesystemcapacity,whichisthemaximumamountofwateritcanapply.Mostsystemsaretypicallyratedbetween8to20mm/day.Ifasystemisundersized,thenitwillbeunabletoapplyenoughwatertomeetcropwaterrequirementsduringthehottertimesoftheyear.Thismaycompromisemaximumproductiononoccasionsinsummer,butontheotherhand,asmallersystemwillhavealowerpurchasecostandoperatingcostswillalsobereduced.

• Havingalowersystemcapacitydoesnotnecessarilymeanplantswilldieinhotweather.Whileoperatingalowercapacitysystemcontinuouslycanmaintainsoilmoisturelevels,ifthesystemcapacityislowerthanthepeakwaterrequirement,thecropwillextractwaterfromthesoilfasterthanthepivotcanreplaceit.Ifthepivotthenbreaksdown,itcanbeverydifficulttorestoresoilmoisturelevelsforoptimalproduction.Asmallersystemcapacityrequiresahigherlevelofmanagementtoavoidproductivitylossandisatgreaterriskofcroplossesifthereisabreakdownorpoweroutage.Alargersystemcapacitygivesadditionalsecurityforlimitedadditionalcapitalcost.

TheDPIAgNote1281(CentrePivots–CapitalandOperatingCostTrade-off)describesindetailthetrade-offbetweenupfrontcapitalcostsandoperatingcosts.Aslightlyhighercapitalinvestmentup-frontcanreduceoperatingcostsoverthelifeofthesystem.Cheaper,smallersizedsystemscostmoretorun,soitisimportanttoweighupallaspectsofdesignandoperation.Selectingalargersystemcapacitynotonlyimprovessecurity,butoperatingcostsarealsolowered,contributingtowardsbottom-linefarmprofitability.

BaseduponthehistoricalclimatedataforTatura,theminimumrecommendedsystemcapacityis12mm/day.Toachieveanirrigationof20to25mm,afullcirclewouldneedtobesettooccurovertwodays.Stageofcropgrowth,timeofyearandrainfallalsoneedtobetakenintoconsiderationwhendecidingwhentoscheduleirrigations,butcanusuallybeeasilyprogrammedandhandledbymoderncentrepivotcontrolsystems.

Themajorrunningcostsofpressurisedirrigationsystemsaredirectlyrelatedtopumping.Typicalenergyrequirementsare130kWh/MLpumped,soatapeakelectricitychargeof28c/kWh,thecostis

$36/ML.Ifoff-peakpowercanbeused,thecostwillbeabouthalf.Dieseloperatedpumpingwilltypicallyrequire39litresofdieselperMLapplied.ThereforeintheBourkes’system,eachirrigationwillusenearly1,000kWhofelectricity,andcostapproximately$120to$270,dependingupontheelectricitypricetariffandsupplycharge.


www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/lwm_farmwater_efficient_irrigation_design_4.2

www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/lwm_farmwater_efficient_irrigation_design_4.2

Background

BarryandDonnastartedoutfarmingasirrigators.Intheearly1990sthecostofwaterwasreachingapointwheretheyfeltitwasbecomingunviabletokeepirrigating,sotheybeganaprocessoftransitioningintodrylandagriculture.Thedecisiontoexpandintodrylandagriculturewasreinforcedbythedroughtconditionsinrecentyears.

Becauseofthedryconditions,thelastirrigationoccurred4yearsago.Althoughwaterbecameavailableagainin2010,itwascarriedovertothisyear.Itwillbeusedtoirrigatelucernetofinishtheprimelambs,whichwastheprimaryuseofirrigationbeforethedrought.

Theirpropertyisnow1,740hainarea;ofwhich32haisstillabletobeirrigatedwiththe40MLwaterrightstillremaining.

What have you changed?

PurchasingirrigationpropertiesandusingthemfordrylandagriculturehasrequiredDonnaandBarrytomakeanumberofchangestothefarms.Thishasincludedearthworksandfencing,filling-intheirrigationchannelsandpullingoutthechannelstops,aswellasensuringinfrastructureisavailableforthestockanddomesticwatersupply–whichinvolvedinstallingpipesandtroughs,andinonecaseconnectingtotheirrigationbackbone.

Thesechangescanbecostly.Asanexample,one324hectaredairypropertypurchasedbythecouplerequired$45,000worthofcontractorworkforearthworks.Barryworkedfor2monthssolidpreparingtheareafordrylandcropping,includingpullingoutchannelstopsandremoving12kmoffencing.OtherpropertiestheyhavepurchasedhaverequiredaboutamonthofBarry’slabour.

Thesechangesmaximisetheefficiencyoffuturecroppingpracticesbyexpandingtheareaofeachpaddocktoasizethatisoptimumforcroppingmachinery.

Ongoingcostsarealsoassociatedwithtransitioningirrigationpaddocksintodrylandpaddocks.Soilsinareaswherechannelshavebeenremovedhaveatendencytoslumpovertime.Theserequiretoppingup2yearsaftertheinitialworkisdoneandthenagain3-4yearslater.Inthepast,thishasrequiredabout2weeksofBarry’slabour.

Preparingirrigationlandfordrylandagricultureisgenerallyasmoothprocessthattakesabout6months.However,discussionswiththerelevantorganisationstodisconnectpropertiesfromthesystemcanbelengthy.

What made you decide to expand into dryland farming?

Thedecisiontoexpandtheareaofdrylandagricultureandreduceirrigationhasbeentheresultoflowwateravailabilityandhighwaterpricesmakingdrylandfarmingmoreviablethanirrigation.

ThedecisiontoincreasetheirareaofdrylandfarmhasbeenrelativelyeasyforBarryandDonna,asithashappenedgraduallyovermanyyears.Theybelieveitisimportanttobecontinuallyadaptingtochangingconditions.

“Droughttaughtushowtofarmwithoutwater.So

nowwearefarmingmoreMalleestyle.These

changescanbehardfortheoldergeneration.”

What made you decide to expand into dryland farming?

ThechannelsupplyingtheremainingirrigationonthepropertyiscurrentlyopenanddiscussionstodecommissionthischannelaspartoftheNorthernVictoriaIrrigationRenewalProject(NVIRP)willoccurinthefuture.Decommissioningthechannelwillprovidebothchallengesandopportunities.

Forexample,thechannelwaterisusedforstockanddomesticsupplyandprovidesabarrierforsheepinsomepaddocks.Therefore,infrastructuretocontinuethesupplyofstockanddomesticwaterwillbeneededandadditionalfencingmayberequiredinsomepaddockswherechannelsareremoved.Compensationwillbeneededfortheassociatedcosts.

“It’simportanttorememberfilling-inchannelsalso

resultsinfilling-inofdrainagesystemsthatare

importantwhensalinityispresent.”

Who:BarryandDonnaSmith

Where: LoddonValleyirrigationarea

Enterprise:Croppingandgrazing

What:Irrigationpropertiespurchasedandconvertedtoonemixeddrylandfarm


AGradualTransitiontoDryland

Onthefarm


Onthepositiveside,decommissioningtheirrigationchannelcouldprovideanopportunitytochangethelayoutofthelandtomaximiseefficiency,forexample,establishinglargerpaddocksforcroppingandaddingpotentialvegetationbufferstrips.

Ifthechannelisdecommissioned,BarryandDonnawillexpandtheircurrentdrylandcroppingintotheremainingirrigationpaddocks.Thiswillbearelativelyeasytransition.

Have you been able to find good information?

DonnaandBarryarepredominantlydrylandfarmersandwillonlyrequirelimitednewinformationtofurtherexpandtheiroperation.However,theyrecognisegainingknowledgeisanimportantfirststepforthosewhohaven’tbeeninvolvedindrylandfarmingbefore.

Understandingthesoilcapabilityofafarmandtheexpectedreturnsfromdistrictaveragesisimportant,especiallyasreturnscanvarygreatlyfromdistricttodistrict.DonnaandBarryalsobelieveit’simportanttouselocalfarmnetworkstoaccesslocalknowledge.

Moderntractorsandheadersgenerallyhavealotoftechnologyassociatedwiththem,soundertakingtrainingsessionsonthisequipment,asBarryhasdone,canbeveryuseful.

“Peopledoneedsometrainingandeducationtoget

uptospeed.Thereisalotofinformationaround.”

How does the switch to dryland farming change profitability?

BarryandDonnapredominantlydrylandcrop.Thetransitiontotheircurrentpositionhasinvolvedpurchasingirrigationblocksandsellingthehighreliabilityirrigationwatertofundthepurchase.Thisensuredthecouplecontinuedtoincreasetheirequitywhileexpanding.

Theprofitabilityofbothdrylandgrazingandcroppingisgenerallylow,thereforethecouplehaveincreasedthesizeoftheirlandholdingtoensuretheirbusinessgeneratesalargeenoughreturntosupporttheirlifestyle.

Awheatcropreadytobeharvested

Theirrigationchannel

Sheepgrazeinalucernepaddock

Oneoftheremainingpaddocksthatcanbeirrigated


Ifyouwouldliketoreceivethisinformation/publicationinanaccessibleformat(suchaslargeprintoraudio)pleasecalltheCustomerServiceCentreon136186,TTY1800122969,oremailcustomer.service@dpi.vic.gov.au.PublishedbytheDepartmentofPrimaryIndustriesFarmServicesVictoria,May2012.

©TheStateofVictoria2012.

Thispublicationiscopyright.NopartmaybereproducedbyanyprocessexceptinaccordancewiththeprovisionsoftheCopyright Act 1968.

AuthorisedbytheDepartmentofPrimaryIndustries,1SpringStreet,Melbourne3000.

ISBN978-1-74326-108-8(print)ISBN978-1-74326-109-5(online)

Disclaimer ThispublicationmaybeofassistancetoyoubuttheStateofVictoriaanditsemployeesdonotguaranteethatthepublicationiswithoutflawofanykindoriswhollyappropriateforyourparticularpurposesandthereforedisclaimsallliabilityforanyerror,lossorotherconsequencewhichmayarisefromyourelyingonanyinformationinthispublication.

For more information about DPI go to www.dpi.vic.gov.au or phone the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

www.dpi.vic.gov.au

http://vro.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/lwm_state_art_irrigation

AdoptingSustainableFarmingPractices

Formoreinformationaboutpostirrigationoptions:


• Talktootherfarmersinyourdistrictwhohavemadetransitionsawayfromirrigation.

Furtherinformation

ResearchTheimpactofthedrought,watertrade,unbundlingwaterfromlandandchannelrationalisationonirrigationfarmingintheGoulburn,MurrayandLoddonirrigationdistrictsoverthepast10yearshasbeenenormous.Mappingofirrigatedland-usechangeacrosstheregionfrom2003to2008hasrecordedadropinperennialpasturefrom141,000hato35,000ha.Autumnpasture/crophasdroppedfrom73,000hato32,000ha(DPI2010).Overallirrigationactivityreduced40%andperennialpasturereduced75%.Thisfollowsontopofchangesmappedbetween1996and2003,whentheareaofperennialpasturefellfrom203,000to141,000ha.(Morse-McNabbetal2008.)

ForlandholdersliketheSmithswhowishedtoremainfarmingwhilstadaptingtothechangesgoingonintheregion,theirdecisiontotradewaterforlandareaisareflectionoftheregionalfigures.BarryandDonnaclearlyrecognisetheprofitabilityofdrylandfarmingissubstantiallylowerthanirrigationfarming.AustralianBureauofStatisticsfigures(ABS2006)foundfarmsthatirrigated,generatedonaverage55%moreoutputperfarmin2003–04thanfarmswhichdidnotirrigate,hencetheneedtoincreasefarmareatomaintainenterprisescaleandprofitability.

WhiletheSmithsmayyetenduphavingtheirlastremainingirrigationsupplydecommissioned,foranyfarmenterprise,keepingitopenasanoptionprovidesadditionalsecurityandresiliencetotheenterprise.Particularlygiventheuncertaintyofdroughtandthefailureoftimelyrainsinsomeyears,theabilitytomaintainlucerneproductionduringadryphase,ortobeabletofinishoffaspringcropiftherainsfail,ispotentiallybeneficial.Especiallyinseasonswithhighwateravailability,temporarytradeofwaterwillbecheap,soretainingtheabilitytocapitaliseonsuchopportunitiesmaybevaluableformanyfarmenterprises,aswellasfortheregionalcommunityandeconomy.

Reference

McAllisterA,2010.UnderstandingLandholders:ChangingLanduseintheGMID.MilestoneReport,DPI.

Morse-McNabbL,McAllisterA,KaineG,RowbottomBandLinehanC.2008.SpatialmarketsegmentationandHealthproductivelandscapeframework.DPIreport.ISBN978-1-74199-971-6

ABS,2006.CharacteristicsofAustralia’sIrrigatedFarms2000-01to2003-04,#4623.0,ISSN0642482241

http://vro.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/lwm_state_art_irrigation