HUNDREDS of farmers took advantage of the second bi-annual Gippsland Irrigation Expo, held in Sale recently, with most looking for automated systems.
Local, national and international – via New Zealand – irrigation specialists hosted displays of equipment and information.
“There were no tyre-kickers. Every farmer here today came purposely to find out about the equipment and other options they could invest in,” organising committee spokesperson, Sue Webster, said.
It was the second expo, after an inaugural one in 2015 achieved successful numbers of interested farmers and equipment suppliers.
Among the new lines of equipment on display last week were improved drip line connectors.
Rivulis Irrigation had their D2000 multi-inlet dripper emitter available.
Norma Group was showing the Cobra clamp, an improved holder for low density poly pipe.
Central controlled wireless irrigation solutions attracted a lot of attention.
WISA Irrigation Solutions had its latest automation system on display. Aliaxis, trading as Philmac and Vinidex, brought along a travelling irrigator – the RI10 – manufactured in Australia. Centreline Irrigation Services had vertical turbine pumps on display.
Maffra’s Ryan Vardy, said the vertical turbine pump had become popular for use with centre pivot systems.
“It’s a major growth area,” he said.
Solar powered options were highly sought after.
Total Eden had a couple of sites, with remote monitoring and control system, powered by the sun, attracting a range of farmers.
Gippsland Pumps were demonstrating submersible and surface pumps that were powered by solar.
NIWA Taihoro Nukurangi (New Zealand) brought along Starflow open channel flow meters and irrigation gates they have been installing in Queensland.
“The software programs collate information about crop condition, animal location and health, climate and weather – and control the harvest and distribution of water as well as monitoring water application,” NIWA principal, Rod McKay, said.
CAF consulting bought along survey and engineering equipment attached to a lightweight drone, that used GPS technology and NDVI imagery.
“We’ve used the drone to help agronomists improve fertiliser application, along the eastern seaboard,” CAF’s Brent Sloan said.
“We’ve also used it to identify problems and solutions to upgrade systems in the Murray Irrigation System.”
“This show has shown a real appetite among farmers for automated systems and the exhibitors said it was one of the best crowds they had seen,” Ms Webster said.
“People were seeking real information about systems that could work in their business models.”
