Irrigation

It’s a race against time to repair hundreds of pivot irrigators as farmers worry about the impact loss of irrigation will have on pasture production and this season’s production. Words Anne Lee.

Upgrading an irrigation system could lead to redesigns that help cut costs in the long run, but there will be costs and trade-offs to consider. Words Anne Lee.

Having a plan for replacing irrigation infrastructure should be built into farming business’ asset replacement plans and come as no surprise. Words Anne Lee

New resources released from IrrigationNZ are to get irrigating farmers thinking about how and why they should measure soil moisture in a bid to restore confidence in the technology available. Words Kathryn Healy.

How can farmers get the most from irrigation without wasting water or damaging equipment? IrrigationNZ Principal Technical Advisor Stephen McNally explains how preparation, planning, and smart decisions make all the difference as the season begins.

In this episode, Sarah speaks with Stephen about practical steps from anchoring and mechanical checks to developing a wind plan and understanding consent conditions. They discuss a “just-in-time” approach, record-keeping, maintenance, and long-term water storage for more efficient and resilient irrigation.

Spring can be a mixed bag of weather but ideal for preparation to reset, rethink, and retool your irrigation strategy. Words Kathryn Healy.

Water has always been a precious resource for Central Otago farmers Tim and Camilla Rutherford, and they’re keen to ensure they utilise every drop that falls from the sky. Words Rebecca Greaves

Is it possible to truly forecast a drought? Country-Wide editor, Rebecca Greaves speaks to three passionate industry experts working to support New Zealand farmers to avoid being caught out by drought by staying one step ahead of mother nature. Guests include Ben Noll from NIWA, Kristin Kirkpatrick of B+LNZ and Vanessa Winning, chief executive of Irrigation NZ.

Pipes replacing an open canal have transformed water supply to a Waitaki Valley irrigation scheme. Story: Terry Brosnahan. Photos: Chris Sullivan.