Farming systems and production management

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4

An assessment of surge-irrigation in the Burdekin : Final report CSR35
(1992) Matthieson, L
Furrow irrigation is the natural choice for sugarcane. It is relatively cheap to operate and generally not capital intensive, However in operation furrow irrigation has distinct limitations. It is generally inefficient in its use of water with 50% utilisation being a typical figure (Stewart 1988). With pumping costs being greater than $2 per tonne cane and QWRC water charges be i ng $32 per mega 1 i tre for farms on channe 1 supp 1 y, there is a need to increase efficiency in order to save moneY,conserve water resources and guard against rising water-tables and salinity. With furrow irrigation the furrow is both the source and the sink of irrigation water. The advance of the water down a dry furrow is typically much slower than the recession of water in a wet furrow except for short or flat furrows which are blocked. Inevitably the upper reaches of the furrow receive more water than lower down . To ensure adequate watering of the lower reaches irrigation water is often allowed to run off to waste for some considerable time. Surge irrigation is the application of irrigation water in pulses rater than continuously . If the off-phase is sufficiently long for the surface soil to dewater, it has been found (see Walker and Skogerboe, 1987) that when irrigation water is reapplied it rapidly advances over the previously wetted section such that less water is required to complete the advance phase of the irrigation. A more rapid advance gives a more uniform distribution of water. Because the irrigation on-time is only a portion of clock time (typically half) it allows better control of run off because irrigators have more time to interact with it.
Irrigation water use in the Eton irrigation scheme
(1994) Chapman, LS
The objectives of the survey were: to determine irrigation management strategies used by the canegrowers; to determine water use efficiency for individual blocks; and to identify irrigation practices which affect water use efficiency.
Factors affecting cane farm productivity and profitability in the Bundaberg district
(1993) Queensland Department of Primary Industries
At the request of the Bundaberg Cane Productivity Committee, the Queensland Department of Primary Industries carried out a study to identify factors affecting the level of sugar yields and reasons for variation in the level of farm input use and to examine other on-farm influences affecting the profitability of cane growing in the Bundaberg district. A purposive sample of 53 cane growers was selected and information obtained through personal interview. The study examined a wide range of farm characteristics which were expected to affect sugar yields in the district. The study found that 70% of the variation in sugar yields over the survey period could be explained by: - the percentage of harvested cane consisting of Autumn plant cane; - type of irrigation use (flood or non-flood); - number of days to irrigate the crop (length of irrigation cycle); - amount of nitrogen applied to ratoon crops; - soil type; and - water use. Sugar yield and farm size were identified as important factors affecting the profitability of cane growing on specialist cane farms.
Increased adoption of efficient sustainable irrigation practices by Australian canegrowers : SRDC Final report BS127S
(1997) Holden, JR; Hussey, B; Shannon, EL
SRDC funded the three-year project 'Increased Adoption of Efficient, Sustainable Irrigation Practices by Australian Canegrowers in July 1994. The broad objectives of the project were to; Determine perceived limits to adoption of more efficient irrigation practices; Increase grower awareness of the benefits of more efficient water use; Research and develop a technical package for more efficient irrigation techniques; Demonstrate and promote best irrigation practice for irrigation of sugarcane. The overall aim was to: 'improve productivity, profitability and sustainability of canegrowing through increased adoption of efficient irrigation techniques by Australian canegrowers."

Farming systems and production management

Browse

Filters

Advanced Search

Filter by

Settings

Sort By

Results per page

Search Results