Editorial: Sense at last
OPINION: For the first time in many years, a commonsense approach is emerging to balance environmental issues with the need for the nation's primary producers to be able to operate effectively.
A web-based technology is now available to help farmers better manage their water resources and improve decision-making around irrigation.
Predictive Irrigation will integrate with existing farm sensors, including flow meters, soil moisture probes and weather stations. It then provides highly accurate information about future irrigation needs relevant to the unique characteristics of any given site.
The new technology is a joint venture between Watermetrics, a trading division of Arthur D Riley & Co Ltd (ADR) and technology provider SWAN Systems.
“Leveraging Watermetrics’ considerable investment in next generation IoT networks, our customers now have predictive irrigation software to deliver precision irrigation best practice,” says Watermetrics marketing and development manager Bruce Franks.
“When it comes to displaying information from sensors, this technology takes it to the next level.
“It’s predictive, it helps farmers look ahead the next few days when it comes to making irrigation decisions.
“They can take into account what the weather forecast looks like, as well as what shape their soil is in, and then use the technology to make decisions that are highly accurate.”
Watermetrics agronomist Richard Campion says the software’s algorithm calculations are very precise and enable such a high level of accuracy.
“Farmers can base their decisions on data that is of the highest integrity, meaning they can irrigate as efficiently as possible while protecting their soil and improving the quality of their pastures and yields.”
Watermetrics says adopting the new Predictive Irrigation platform is part of its commitment to the latest technology, enabling customers to maximise farm efficiency and profitability.
“For some time now, we’ve been searching for the right solution in this area,” says Franks. “We found it with SWAN Systems’ software, and we’re excited to offer the Predictive Irrigation solution to our customers.”
What this means for Watermetrics customers is an improved method of optimising and managing water and nutrient application.
“With Predictive Irrigation, farmers can develop very precise schedules,” says Campion. “They can also analyse temperatures, evaporation and crop growth factors. This kind of advanced technology is essential in modern farming because it allows farmers to tailor an irrigation plan that takes into account when water is in abundance and when it’s short.”
Watermetrics’ says its partnership with SWAN Systems and the introduction of the Predictive Irrigation solution will enable their customers to extract maximum value from their current monitoring systems and streamline management decisions.
A brilliant result and great news for growers and regional economies. That's how horticulture sector leaders are describing the news that sector exports for the year ended June 30 will reach $8.4 billion - an increase of 19% on last year and is forecast to hit close to $10 billion in 2029.
Funding is proving crucial for predator control despite a broken model reliant on the goodwill of volunteers.
A major milestone on New Zealand's unique journey to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis could come before the end of this year.
We're working through it, and we'll get to it.
The debate around New Zealand's future in the Paris Agreement is heating up.
A technical lab manager for Apata, Phoebe Scherer, has won the Bay of Plenty 2025 Young Grower regional title.
OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.
OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.