Episode 95 – Knowing your soil moisture pays off
In this episode, Jane Robb, Senior Environmental Consultant at Irricon, discusses the evolution of soil moisture monitoring in New Zealand and why it is becoming an essential tool for farm productivity and environmental management. She explains how modern technology helps farmers make smarter irrigation decisions, highlights the importance of matching sensors to different soil types, and outlines what this could mean for improving water use efficiency, nutrient retention, and overall farm resilience.
Guest:
- Jane Robb, Senior Environmental Consultant, Irricon
Host:
- Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Editor-in-Chief, CountryWide
Jane explores how soil type variability and water-holding capacity affect irrigation outcomes, and explains why correctly placing and interpreting soil moisture sensors is critical for both good and best management practice. She outlines the guidance and workshops available to help farmers implement monitoring effectively, the practical benefits of integrating soil moisture data into day-to-day decisions, and how embracing this technology can drive both productivity gains and environmental improvements across New Zealand farms.
Read the article featuring Jane here.
