increase font size
Phill Everest uses Precision VRI to irrigate his farm.
A new integrated system that offers remote control, as well as monitoring and reporting of pivot irrigation is now available.
Irrigation specialist Lindsay New Zealand says its system provides complete remote pivot management, with VRI control, monitoring and reporting.
The company says with Precision VRI, growers can precisely apply the correct amount of water over multiple crops, soil types and terrains and integrate with Field-NET remote management – giving growers the ability to easily create or edit irrigation plans and produce irrigation reports to assist with better decision-making
Three years ago, Ashburton farmer Phill Everest converted his beef and cropping farm to dairying and uses Precision VRI to irrigate his farm in accordance with local council regulations. His farm – Flemington Dairies – features deep silt loams braided by shallower stony soils. This results in challenges where springs appear in wet conditions and areas of the farm that has open drains running down its length.
With precision technology, Everest is able to turn off irrigation over and around pivot ruts, tracks, water troughs, gateways and drains. He also can avoid irrigating boggy areas, reducing rutting and allowing these to recover before changing his plan and irrigating again – effectively managing problems posed by heavy, seasonally waterlogged soils.
Using Growsmart Precision VRI to irrigate 132 hectares, Everest has been able to reduce his water usage by 3,350,000 litres in comparison to a standard system – applying a uniform rate application of 15 mm across the property. The additional water can irrigate an additional 23 hectares on his farm.
Lindsay NZ says adding FieldNET to Precision VRI requires additional hardware that allows farmers to customise and remotely manage water applications.
A strong, long-lasting steel enclosure houses the new control panel in which a farmer can view irrigation plans in colour at the pivot point. Irrigation depths can be changed on the fly – a handy feature when the dairy herd are going into a paddock that the irrigator is about to cover, the irrigation on that paddock can be turned off then and there.
For more visit: www.growsmartprecisionvri.co.nz
Most vineyards require irrigation at some point. Deciding when and how much is required is a powerful management tool that directly affects fruit production, disease pressure, and even operational passes.
A wetter than usual irrigation season has hindered data collection efforts for Canterbury dairy grazers Gary and Penny Robinson.
The ability to manage an irrigation system depends on the percentage of water pumped that becomes available for plants to use, according to Watermetrics.
The Everest family of Ashburton in Hinds are one of many local farming families working hard to reduce nitrogen loss.
On-farm irrigation technology has evolved at a fast pace over the last two decades and farmers have both adopted and evolved with it and have helped it evolve, according to WaterForce.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…
