Boost profitability and help the reef by automating canefields irrigation
A three-year Lower Burdekin project will focus on automating irrigation practices to reduce the risk of harmful agricultural chemicals getting into waterways leading to the Great Barrier Reef.
At the same time, it aims to increase farm profitability by reducing input costs and labour while maintaining yields.
NQ Dry Tropics’ Burdekin Tailored Automation project will help growers address inefficient irrigation systems on farms, the main driver of nutrient and pesticide loss pathways off farms.
Project Officer Michael Hobbs said Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN), pesticides and other nutrients could get into waterways via excess irrigation water leaving the farm in runoff and deep drainage.
Once in the watercourse, the pollutants can be swept out to sea and adversely impact the Great Barrier Reef.
That excess water is providing no production benefit to the farmer, in fact it’s washing valuable nutrient and pesticide from where it’s needed in the paddock.
“By applying the correct amount of water needed by the crop, it is possible to close that pathway, benefiting farmers’ bottom line, and the reef,” he said.
“The bonus is that every time irrigation efficiency is improved, the farmer saves money on input costs (water and energy).
“In some areas, it may also aid in the battle against rising groundwater which is threatening the viability of some areas in the lower Burdekin.
“The project also intends to explore whether automation can improve yield by preventing waterlogging and denitrification losses to the atmosphere.
He said when soils are super-saturated for extended periods, conditions are unsuitable for plant growth and nutrients are lost, causing reduced production.
“So you can lose a significant tranche of growing time every time you irrigate,” he said.
“With accurate automated irrigation, cane will have more time to grow and that could result in an improved yield.”
The Burdekin Tailored Automation project is funded through the Australian Government’s $1.2 billion Reef Protection and Restoration Package.
Lower Burdekin growers will be able to access incentive grants (up to 50 per cent and capped at $30,000) to install automated irrigation systems, where it can be demonstrated the technology will deliver the desired improvement in water use efficiency.
Through targeted actions, the Reef Trust Reefwise Farming Program aspires to accelerate progress towards the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan targets, enhancing water quality to sustain the GBR’s outstanding universal value and supporting the resilience and health of its ecosystems.
Register your interest
Growers who wish to participate in NQ Dry Tropics’ Burdekin Tailored Automation project can register their interest by filling this form.
Automated irrigation systems will be needed to implement irrigation practices to improve water use efficiency required to quality for incentive subsidies.
Senior Project Officer Michael Hobbs will be in touch to initiate the discussion around exactly that will entail on your farm.
Incentive subsidies of 50 per cent (up to a maximum of $30,000) are available and demand is expected to be high.
