Maximising centre pivot efficiencies : Final report GGP051

Abstract

Centre pivot irrigators are proven to be one of the most efficient irrigation systems. But in the cane industry with long ratoon cycles, and a six month harvest season, a pivot applying the same amount of water over the entire area (and length of pivot) becomes a management issue. With a pivot length of 700 metres, it is common for more than 1 block to be under the pivot at once. It is more than likely that these blocks require different irrigation amounts, while some blocks may not need water at all due to age of crop or blocks about to be harvested, or blocks planted to legume fallows which have different water requirements.

To overcome this problem, many growers use an inefficient high pressure irrigator to water individual blocks which could be irrigated by the pivot, however the pivot would irrigate the entire area which includes blocks not requiring irrigation.

This variable rate technology is new to the sugar industry, so testing of controller and software will be required to evaluate suitability and will incur higher costs. By doing trials and evaluations on the first controller, the group hopes to save time and money for anyone using this technology in the future.