Changing Irrigation Systems and Management in the Harvey Irrigation Area

Aims

• Bring innovation to irrigation systems and agronomy on-farm in the South West Irrigation Area that will increase water use efficiency and farm productivity, and reduce ecological impacts through factors such as water and nutrient seepage to the water table, downstream nutrient run-off and soil structural problems.
• Demonstrate and document a model of integrated R&D and knowledge management through a strategic alliance that is capable of achieving sustainable irrigation on-farm and extended across the broader farming community and irrigation area with lessons.
• Develop a learning and information exchange strategy to provide opportunities for SWIA irrigators to learn from other Australian irrigation areas and industries.
• Demonstrate the energy efficiencies and overall energy balance of a pressurised gravity-fed piped system of irrigation water delivery.

Outcomes

The Project has demonstrated, in a two-year on-farm case study during 2003-04 and 2004-05, that water savings can be achieved along with increased pasture production and better quality pasture through centre pivot irrigation. Associated with the economic benefits were minimal water and nutrient run-off thereby contributing to the sustainability of irrigation in the Harvey Water Irrigation Area.

Background

The essence of Project DAW45 evolved from the initial idea of an on-farm trial comparing centre pivot and surface irrigation; to a demonstration case study of the comparative performance of pivot and surface irrigation; to recognition that the greatest benefits will accrue to farmers and the HWIA by improving the performance of both centre pivot and existing surface irrigation.

Products and Publications