More reasons than ever to be a smart irrigator

Why irrigation efficiency matters

The main environmental risks from irrigation are overwatering or uneven irrigation, which can lead to ponding or runoff and leaching of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), sediment and microbes. It also wastes a scarce resource that  precious aquatic life depends upon.

“As an irrigator, you can make a positive contribution towards reducing leaching and runoff in your catchment by integrating efficient irrigation practices into your farming system,” said water and land central team leader Marcelo Wibmer.

“Improved irrigation efficiency can lead to savings in operating costs, reduced water use, improved pasture and crop production, less fertiliser loss, and it can help improve overall water quality.”
The savings associated with increased irrigation efficiency can be significant.

The savings associated with increased irrigation efficiency can be significant.

According to LandWISE, increasing how uniformly water is applied from 0.7 to 0.9 can enable 50 per cent more area to be irrigated with the same amount of water. Using the right pump can reduce an electricity bill by 30 per cent.

Timing when you irrigate also matters hugely

Applying water after the sun has gone down or before the full heat of the day may mean savings through the use of off-peak electricity, and reduces loss through evaporation between your irrigator nozzles and the ground.

That way, more water will fall on cooler soil and reach the roots of your crop or pasture.

Pre-season irrigation checklist

Spring is the time to check your equipment and make sure your irrigation schedules are ready for summer. Here are some things you can do to ensure you are ready to irrigate efficiently:

• Plan for the season: be ready to manage your scheduling under restrictions and identify higher production areas to concentrate on for the best return.
• Undertake maintenance: make sure your flows and pressures are within 10 per cent of operating design; check your system for leaks and broken sprinklers and make sure your end guns are aligned and operating as they should.
• Evaluate your irrigation performance: undertake a bucket test once a year. This helps determine the application depth, rate and how uniformly water is being applied during irrigation. Keep in mind it may be required as part of your consent conditions and FEP audit.
• Monitor your soil moisture: improve irrigation efficiency by implementing soil sensor technology in irrigation scheduling.
• Get accurate weather forecast information: weather and evapotranspiration data allow you to take advantage of rain and avoid irrigating when the conditions are not ideal.
• Upskill staff: training on scheduling and operation helps optimise water use and avoid damage to equipment.

Meeting Farm Environment Plan (FEP) audit requirements

Our FEP framework includes irrigation as a management area. As a bottom line, irrigation design and operation should minimise the risk of nutrient leaching to groundwater and runoff to surface water, to ensure the protection of mahinga kai and buffering areas are created around high-value sites such as springs, wetlands, watercourses, and drains.

Under the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan, consent holders are responsible for ensuring they irrigate efficiently. A robust FEP audit process is a key instrument that reassures the community that this objective is being achieved. Auditors verify the on-farm practices against the objectives and four targets relating to:

• installation
• maintenance
• decision-making
• training

More information on irrigation Good Management Practices is available on the Farmers' Hub.

Commissioning tests for new systems

If you have recently installed irrigation equipment, you will need to get a commissioning test to ensure your equipment is set up efficiently and is safe for staff to operate.

A commissioning test also provides a performance baseline as a reference point, against which future irrigation system performance can be assessed.

We have created a great information resource, aimed at providing farmers with advice on water-related regulations, water restrictions, irrigation schemes, and recommended irrigation techniques.