centre for agricultural engineering irrigation system

Centre for Agricultural Engineering

Irrigation System Operation and Selection for Improved Productivity and

Profitability Michael Scobie, Joseph Foley, Malcolm Gillies, Steve Attard

and Pat Daley



Profitability

Irrigation System OperationSelection for Improved Productivity and

Profitability

and


Project Overview

DurationJuly 2018 – June 2021 (potential extension and expansion to June 2022)

Commissioned PartnersUniversity of Southern Queensland | Agritech Consulting | Daley’s Water Service

Coordination and Facilitation Sugar Research Australia Adoption Unit

Across all major irrigation regions in Sugar IndustryFar North, Burdekin, Mackay/Proserpine, Bundaberg/Isis/Maryborough


Project Objectives

Establish Innovation hubscross institution discussion | innovation | collaboration

Increase adoption of existing knowledge and toolscapacity building | training | workshops

Lift capability of growers and extension service providersmeasurements | assessments | benchmarking

Develop resources and provide ongoing technical supportCase studies | information sheets | ready reckoner tools


Mode of Delivery• Hands on, learn by doing• 3 workshops per year in the Burdekin• Theory and practice (classroom and paddock)• Homework (and there will be some today)• Virtual workshops and potential for a residential school• Access to tutors• Building up a toolkit of hardware, software and library


Southern Region Program

1. Irrigation fundamentals2. Irrigation performance audit3. Irrigation pump assessment4. System capacity assessments



1. Irrigation fundamentalsa. Benefits of getting irrigation ‘right’ – most economic gain where energy use is reduced and productivity is increasedb. Understanding plant and crop use of water and atmospheric demandc. Properties of soilsd. Energy to move watere. Energy and water measurement termsf. Parameters to measure for assessments and audits, why they need to be measured and how to measure in a standardised wayg. Economic return on ML of irrigation water applied (marginal rate of return for each additional ML of water applied)h. Considering the feasibility of potential infrastructure changes (given it is supplementary irrigation only and changes can be costly)i. Irrigation scheduling

2. Irrigation performance audit3. Irrigation pump assessment4. System capacity assessments



1. Irrigation fundamentals2. Irrigation performance audit

a. Measurements, equipment and calculations requiredb. Determine infield performance of high pressure overhead irrigation (winch or travelling guns), low pressure overhead irrigation (travelling

booms; lateral moves and centre pivots) and drip irrigationc. Use of Irrigation Performance Audit Reporting Tool (IPART)d. Pressure head loss in piped networks

3. Irrigation pump assessment4. System capacity assessments



1. Irrigation fundamentals2. Irrigation performance audit3. Irrigation pump assessment

a. Measurements, equipment and calculations requiredb. Irrigation pumping system evaluation including overall efficiency, cost per ML pumped and KWh/ML/m headc. Standardisation, calculation and presentation of datad. Use of Irrigation Pump Efficiency Reporting Tool (IPERT)e. Pumps & Pump selection (e.g. pump providers to be invited eg Davey, Grundfos)f. Identifying and implementing energy saving management practices and technologiesg. Fundamentals of alternative energy options for pumping

i. is solar a feasible option (note: for southern region: supplementary irrigation only; generally seasonal use in sugar cane production system)

ii. what type of change could improve energy efficiency and overall WUE – e.g. change to energy source and system?; change in irrigation management? change in irrigation infrastructure or system? Or a combination?

4. System capacity assessments



1. Irrigation fundamentals2. Irrigation performance audit3. Irrigation pump assessment4. System capacity assessments

a. System capacityb. Managed system capacityc. Ability to meet crop demand


Scope and Limitations• Irrigation system and water management focus• Target audience are extension providers • Not ‘the SRA irrigation project’• Will not create irrigation design engineers• Will develop skills, knowledge and confidence on

measurement and assessment

• Requires a commitment to attend all workshops


Communications• SRA play a key role in the facilitation of workshops• Tasks set as homework• Virtual workshops (1 hr video conference)• Access to tutors on relevant content• WhatsApp group• Project review after 12 months

CRICOS QLD 00244B | NSW 02225M TEQSA: PRV12081CRICOS QLD 00244B | NSW 02225M TEQSA: PRV12081

@caeusq


Thank you - Questions

Centre for Agricultural EngineeringUniversity of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, AustraliaEmail @usq.edu.au

mailto:[email protected]

centre for agricultural engineering irrigation system

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