FOR South East dairyfarmers John and Karen Hunt, Allendale East, the decision to take part in the smarter irrigation program has already paid off, to the value of more than $10,000 a year.
Mr Hunt said they got involved to evaluate their program and discover if there was any new technology that would impact their water efficiency and benefit their operation.
“We’re looking for efficiencies throughout the business,” he said.
“With volumetric, we have to make sure we get the most from every drop.”
Instead, thanks to a baseline catch can test, they discovered there were some simple changes they could make immediately to get big benefits.
“The catch can test, as part of the program, found irregularities that if not addressed could cost us a lot in lost pasture production,” Mr Hunt said.
“I thought it was a little bit out, but not as much as they found.”
Their property, Fern Leaf, runs about 240 crossbred cows, with an average production of 2000 kilograms of milk solids a hectare, with about 50ha of irrigation.
Mr Hunt said the main benefit of doing this program is to use the allocation of water as efficiently as possible.
“With the running costs of irrigation you have to make sure you get bang for your buck,” he said. “We’ve only got 7.2 megalitres to play with, plus the power costs that go with it.”
He said any water savings could be put to use to irrigate and produce more feed elsewhere.
Elizabeth Anderson
Editor of Stock Journal.
Editor of Stock Journal.
