Farmer workshop advises how to irrigate for dry conditions

Media Statement

30 September 2016 – for immediate release

Farmer workshop advises how to irrigate for dry conditions

South Canterbury farmers have a chance to join a Pleasant Point workshop on Friday 14th October showing them how to irrigate efficiently to cope with dry conditions.

As well as learning ways to improve water efficiency through better scheduling, the IrrigationNZ workshop will cover calibration, the operation and maintenance of irrigators and Farm Environment Plan compliance.

The one-day workshop is a mix of classroom learning and practical in-the-field application, with a walk alongside irrigation machinery helping participants identify operational risks.

IrrigationNZ Project Manager Steven Breneger says more workshops are being rolled out this summer than previous summers due to the increasing knowledge base irrigators require to meet new environmental requirements.

“The irrigator walk really helps as we talk about the maintenance checks they should be undertaking and look at the most common problems and pitfalls. Many of our participants tell us they learn the most from this exercise and go away inspired to employ more regular maintenance.”

Opuha Water’s Environmental Manager Julia Crossman says the last two summers in South Canterbury have shown just how important it is for farmers to use the water available to them as wisely as possible.

“Present ground conditions are again dry for this time of the year and Opuha Water Ltd is already looking at how the water stored needs to be managed in the season ahead to ensure it can sustain irrigation demand and river needs for as long as possible. Efficient irrigation on-farm plays a crucial role in this.”

“These dry conditions mean that, more than ever, irrigators need to operate at peak performance, and the Irrigation Operator and Manager Training arms farmers with useful tools to help them achieve this. The irrigation scheduling component of the workshop highlights the importance of understanding the different soils on farm and their water holding capacities. The workshop is also particularly useful in building knowledge of soils, water, plant and climate interactions. An irrigator is unable to apply water efficiently if it is not calibrated or maintained well. The workshop, therefore, also provides some useful insight into what farmers should look out for and check to ensure their system is running as optimally as possible.”

“Opuha Water Ltd strongly encourages shareholders and other irrigators to make the most of this opportunity to attend the workshop while it is being held in Pleasant Point. If by attending the workshop farmers gain the tools to increase their resilience in the face of potentially another dry summer, it will be worth the cost and time to attend.”

The Irrigation Operator and Manager training workshop will take place in Pleasant Point between 10am and 4.30pm on Friday 14th October. More information can be found at http://irrigationnz.co.nz/events/ or by contacting Kate Mills Ph (03) 974 1425 or kmills@irrigationnz.co.nz

IrrigationNZ

IrrigationNZ is the national body representing irrigators and the irrigation industry. Its mission is to promote excellence in irrigation throughout New Zealand. IrrigationNZ launched the SMART Irrigation Programme in 2014 which stands for Sustainably Managed, Accountable, Responsible and Trusted Irrigation.

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