Irrigation testing tools
If you’re looking for alternatives to the discontinued CropX bucket tool, here are some tips and tools to help you assess your irrigation system.
Many of the bucket testing systems described below can be conducted by farmers and growers, normally following some training in the system you’ve chosen to use.
Engaging suitably qualified providers
You may decide to engage a service provider due to time constraints or to help build your knowledge by observing what they do. When engaging someone to bucket test, use a person who holds the National Certificate in Irrigation System Performance Assessment.
The training they have done to achieve certification ensures a thorough understanding of the IrrigationNZ Code of Practice for Irrigation System Performance Assessment, including skills such as data collection and calculations required for generating accurate reports.
If you are engaging someone to perform a bucket test or evaluate your irrigation system, ask about their qualifications and the tools they use. By confirming their qualifications you can be confident that the testing process and subsequent reports will meet the necessary standards and provide useful, actionable insights.
Find registered and qualified individuals for irrigation system performance assessment.
Irrig8 Lite
Developed by Page Bloomer Associates, Irrig8 Lite is free software designed for farmers to conduct their own bucket tests.
This software allows you to gather field data, generate reports, and share them with auditors. The testing method follows the IrrigationNZ Code of Practice but focuses on a "calibration" test rather than a full performance evaluation.
Key features:
- supports multiple irrigation system types - centre pivots, laterals/linear, travelling irrigators, spray line, K-line and adaptable for solid set
- offers simple instructions and field sheets for recording data
- provides reports with key performance indicators such as distribution uniformity, average applied depth and application intensity.
Tool examples:
- Screenshot of Irrig8 Lite - showing example instructions for bucket layout and testing
- Screenshot of the graph produced by Irrig8 Lite - showing variation in bucket volumes and comparing measured depth with target depth
- Screenshot of part of the result report generated by Irrig8 Lite - showing raw data, average applied depth, distribution uniformity, application intensity and other measurements
DairyNZ Bucket Test Calculator
DairyNZ offers a free Excel spreadsheet designed to help farmers perform their bucket tests for assessing irrigation system performance.
The tool enables farmers to gather field data and generate performance reports, helping them assess their irrigation systems independently.
While the spreadsheet provides basic instructions on how to perform the tests, it also directs users to the DairyNZ "Irrigation DIY Evaluation" document for more comprehensive guidance on testing procedures.
The spreadsheet is saved directly to the user's computer, and DairyNZ does not collect any personal data during the download process.
Key features:
- supports multiple irrigation system types - centre pivots and travelling irrigators (guns, booms and rotating booms)
- hybrid testing methodology - this tool combines calibration testing and full performance evaluation. For example, it uses 40 buckets in a single line for short pivots, compared with the 24 buckets typically used in calibration. For full evaluations, it requires two lines of 40 buckets
- provides reports with key performance indicators such as distribution uniformity, average applied depth and application intensity measured at both the 2/3 length and the full length of the pivot.
While the DairyNZ Bucket Test Calculator is a useful tool for farmers, it's important to note that its methodology is a hybrid of calibration and full evaluation rather than strict adherence to the IrrigationNZ Code of Practice. This means it provides a helpful snapshot of system performance but may not meet the full requirements of a formal performance evaluation.
Tool examples
New web-based tool from IrrigationNZ powered by SCADAFarm (coming in early 2025)
In early 2025, IrrigationNZ will launch a new web-based tool powered by SCADAFarm, designed to offer more comprehensive and user-friendly irrigation performance assessments. This tool is currently undergoing user testing, with the release for centre pivots scheduled for early 2025.
Further system types, such as lateral moves and travelling irrigators, will be included in the following months.
The new tool will offer two primary testing methodologies:
- Calibration test - similar to the discontinued CropX bucket test app, this method uses a field bucket layout to assess the system.
- ‘Catch Can’ test - is a more in-depth performance test, aligned with the full Code of Practice requirements for a complete irrigation evaluation. This method involves the use of Catch Cans across the system to measure uniformity and efficiency.
Key features:
- secure online accounts - users register their details and securely store their system design information in the cloud. This allows them to quickly re-enter new measurement data when testing the system again, speeding up the process and enabling better tracking of system performance
- custom reports - this tool will generate PDF reports with detailed performance data, which can be shared with auditors and/or kept for maintenance records. These reports calculate and display distribution uniformity (and Christiansen’s Uniformity), applied depth, and application intensity
- features enhanced user experience, including easier data entry and more reliable reporting. This will help farmers and irrigation professionals maintain accurate and up-to-date records of their irrigation systems and improve their decision-making around water use.
Private reporting tools and calculators
Some irrigation professionals and service providers have developed their bucket test tools and reporting formats. These tools are often used by consultants or contractors who perform bucket tests for farmers.
While these private tools can be very useful, it's important to note that they have not been independently validated by third parties.
Pivot maintenance audit
While bucket tests are useful, as a standalone tool they may be limited in terms of what they can assess about your particular irrigation system and situation.
If you're looking for a thorough evaluation of your irrigation system, consider a pivot maintenance audit. This audit goes beyond just the bucket test and focuses on ensuring that your pivot system is working efficiently and as it was designed.
A pivot maintenance audit is more comprehensive than a test from the bucket tests such as Irrig8 Lite and the DairyNZ Bucket Test calculator.
This pivot maintenance audit checks things like pressure, flow and the condition of nozzles. It helps ensure that your system is working as efficiently as possible, which is key to reducing water waste and improving system performance.
Audits can be performed by either the irrigation system operator or a suitably qualified and experienced services contractor.
Key benefits
- ensures water is applied evenly and efficiently, preventing overwatering and saving power
- helps to identify issues that may require repairs or maintenance
- provides valuable information that can be used for farm environment plan audits (make sure photographs of the process are taken and details recorded as evidence of the process for your auditor)
- if conducted by the system operator, it offers hands-on learning, increasing their knowledge of how their system works
- if conducted by an external contractor, they should be able to rectify any issues raised during the process. They can also provide a report and invoice to use as evidence for your farm environment plan audit.
How to perform a pivot maintenance audit
Gather the necessary tools:
- nozzle chart
- commissioning report
- pressure gauge
- measuring wheel
- time-stamped camera (your phone camera should have this option)
- flow meter (as fitted to the individual machine to be checked, or understanding how the system flow meter can be isolated for the one machine).
Walk through the pivot (dry and wet):
- check the nozzles for proper placement, wear and blockages. Refer to the nozzle chart to confirm the correct nozzle size and placement
- clean any blocked nozzles to ensure good water distribution.
Measure pressure and flow:
- use the pressure gauge to measure inlet pressure, and if required install a pressure gauge at the last dropper or nozzle
- if there is no flow meter installed on the pivot, you could use a wrap-around flow meter at the pivot point or isolate the pivot and record flow from the water supply point - you could read it at the headworks and check whether the flow recorded is correct for the multiple systems running against their KPIs (note, however, that wrap-around flow meters are expensive and should be accessed by trained professionals)
- make sure that the flow and pressure results match the nozzle chart and commissioning report.
Measure pivot speed:
- set the pivot running at 100% speed
- from the pivot’s last tower (if the pivot has a corner arm, ignore this) mark a point at the wheel and measure how far it travels in 10 minutes. Divide this number by 10 to obtain the pivot’s maximum speed in metres per minute
- refer to the nozzle chart to confirm that the speed matches the chart at 100%.
Check panel settings:
- make sure that the panel has the correct settings loaded. Depending on the brand, these settings could be the wetted length, steel length, flow, minimum application rate, full circle time at 100% speed
- refer to the nozzle chart and commissioning report for the correct settings.
Compare your collected data with the commissioning report and nozzle chart:
- this helps identify whether the system is functioning as designed or if any adjustments are needed
- if flow and pressure don’t match, engage a contractor to test and problem-solve.
Bucket test vs pivot maintenance audit
Bucket test:
- snapshot of irrigation system performance (distribution uniformity, average applied depth)
- simple and quick to use
- limited by weather conditions (wind, rain)
- a good starting point for basic checks.
Pivot maintenance audit:
- detailed check of system components (pressure, flow, nozzle placement)
- takes more time and expertise, so choose your service provider carefully, or do some training yourself
- can be done in most weather conditions
- better for in-depth system maintenance and repairs.