Solar innovation could help drought-stricken farmers
A solar water pump system is helping get much needed water to stock on remote hill country farms and has captured international interest from water-stressed countries.
Glockemann Pumps use water to provide an easy way of moving water where there is no power.
With a design that only needs around a half metre of head, the pump is placed in a stream or river, and collects water through a drive tube and delivers it into the diaphragm chamber, and then exits via an exhaust valve. The water pressure against the valve slams it shut, allowing the water pressure in the diaphragm chamber to increase, which distends the diaphragm and moves the piston forward in the piston bore, which forces water through a non-return valve, and up the delivery pipe.
At the end of the push stroke, and when the energy is spent, pressure drops in the chamber, and the exhaust valve springs open, and a strong return spring pushes the diaphragm back to its original position. The piston returning in the bore draws in water via the lower non-return valve, and the cycle repeats itself.
Construction of the main housing is cast iron, with remaining components being stainless steel, and a diaphragm made from a piece of tractor inner tube type material. Dependent on the amount of head required to push the water to the storage tank a range of interchangeable piston tubes are available, with the narrowest delivering up to 200 metres head.
The product is low tech, has few moving parts, and especially has no metal to metal contact areas.
Australian dairy farmers supplying Fonterra are getting an opening weighted average milk price of A$8.60/kgMS for the new season or around NZ$9.26/kgMS - NZ74c less than New Zealand suppliers, based on the current exchange rate.
Taranaki veterinarian Dr Rob Mills is the new president of New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA).
Input costs can make or break a season for farmers and electricity is one of the largest expenses.
Zespri says global sales for the 2024-25 season topped $5 billion on the back of strong demand and market returns.
Massey University is returning to the Fieldays with a future-focused, solution-driven theme, showcasing research that delivers practical advancements in agricultural efficiency, sustainability and longevity.
Newly appointed National Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos says his team is ready, excited and looking forward to delivering the four-day event next month.
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