Irrigation Tools and Technologies

This fact sheet introduces the crucial role of irrigated agriculture in Australia, contributing to 30% of agricultural production and half of the sector's profit. Irrigators in the country are dedicated to enhancing the efficiency of their irrigation practices.

Smarter Irrigation for Profit Phase 1 (SIP1) revealed that productivity gains of 10-30% can be achieved through improved irrigation scheduling. However, the challenge lies in selecting the right tools and technologies tailored to individual farm requirements, taking into account factors like weather conditions, soil types, and crops. The document aims to serve as a user-friendly resource for farmers and extension providers, aiding them in the selection of suitable irrigation tools and technologies. It emphasizes the need for simplicity in installation, setup, usage, interpretation, and maintenance of these tools, highlighting the importance of accessible service providers.

The document provides a concise overview of various irrigation tools and technologies used for monitoring, managing, sensing, and automating water movement and irrigation events, with many examples employed by SIP participants. It serves as an introductory guide for those seeking to enhance or implement water monitoring and irrigation automation technologies on their farms.