Lifting irrigated cropping profitabilty and water use efficiency

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Article summaries

	Embracing change & challenge for 135 years The Storrier family, Hillston, Lachlan Valley, NSW – Producers of cotton, wheat, lucerne & oats The Storrier family strives to maximise water efficiency and profitability through addressing all aspects of their production system – the type of irrigation layout they use, the types of crops they grow and the agronomic practices they employ. A cotton-wheat rotation suits much of their land, with wheat using moisture remaining after the cotton crop. Read full article (766 k PDF file)
	Finding a better way The Wiseman family, Coleambally, Murrumbidgee Valley, NSW – Producers of organic onions, soybeans, lentils, chickpeas, linseed & pumpkins Neill and Gina Wiseman have developed a productive and sustainable organic farming system where all nutrients removed are replaced, soil biology is enhanced to get the full benefit of nutrients and green manures, and weeds are controlled by non-chemical methods. They produce a wide range of crops, maximising the efficiency and profitability of their irrigation water. Read full article (831 k PDF file)
	Water as an enterprise Craig & Helen Reynolds, Congupna, Goulburn Valley, Vic – Producers of corn, barley, soybeans, shaftal clover, oats, canola & wheat Availability and returns on irrigation water is only the start of Craig Reynolds’ planning each season. He also takes into account moisture available from rainfall and moisture conserved by stubble retention, direct drilling and controlled traffic. Craig will readily sell his water if temporary trade is more attractive than the season’s prospects for commodity prices. Read full article (825 k PDF file)
	A small farm with a big engine Gary & Rosie Johnson, Forbes, Lachlan Valley, NSW – Producers of lucerne, sub clover, cereals, lambs & cattle Efficient irrigation practices were essential for Gary Johnson to achieve his goal of developing a highly productive, efficient and sustainable farm. Over 30 years Gary transformed his property through whole farm planning, laser levelling and inventing a high volume water outlet to maximise water flow onto his farm. He grows lucerne for hay and pasture, and has developed a market for lucerne cubes. Read full article (735 k PDF file)
	Venturing into new territories Lindsay & Helen Gronow, Yarrawalla, Murray Valley, Vic – Producers of wheat, barley, canola & manola The Gronows were pioneers in whole farm planning in the early 1980s and developed their irrigation layout to have complete control over their water at all times. A recycling system ensured that water never left the farm. In addition to having the right layout, Lindsay spent plenty of time ‘crunching numbers’ to find the most profitable use of water and the most efficient system to achieve it. Read full article (200 k PDF file)
	Flexibility in layout & crops Ian & Sharon Sutherland, Coleambally, Murrumbidgee Valley, NSW – Producers of rice, soybeans, wheat, oats, canola & faba beans The Sutherlands firmly believe there is no ideal layout. They match layout to soil type, with the primary aim of being able to get water on and off irrigation bays quickly. As a result they have the flexibility to grow a wide range of crops and can respond to changes in seasons, allocations and markets. Ian believes automation is the next step in achieving greater water efficiencies. Read full article (743 k PDF file)
	Less water, more production & time Mark & Michele Groat, Griffith, Murrumbidgee Valley, NSW – Lamb producers on perennial pasture The Groats converted their predominantly cropping business into a livestock business. They already had the infrastructure; access to irrigation gave them the opportunity to tap into markets that rain-fed systems couldn’t; and they had a track record in pasture production. With a better developed pasture production system, the Groats can more efficiently and profitably use lower water allocations, and have more time for their family. Read full article (750 k PDF file)
	Beds give complete flexibility Bernie & Liz Walsh, Yanco, Murrumbidgee Valley, NSW – Producers of barley & corn for silage Unexpected outcomes, effort and opportunity have seen Bernie and Liz Walsh develop their farm into an efficient and profitable business. They redeveloped the farm completely, laying it out to raised beds, as they believed that would give them the greatest flexibility with crop options. No sooner was that done than a feedlot established next door – needing lots of silage, which the Walshes ‘new’ farm was now more than capable of producing. Read full article (714 k PDF file)
	Engineering on-farm efficiency Nick & Nicola Ellwood, Jerilderie, Murray Valley, NSW – Producers of faba beans, canola, wheat, lupins, peas, rice & sheep Continual improvement of management and farm infrastructure enables Nick Ellwood to keep his production system flexible and maintain profitability. Nick was one of the first irrigators to grow rice on ‘beds in bays’ - to give him more flexibility with the crops he could grow in rotation with rice. Nick has also designed computer software to assist with farm management and is in the process of making his own biodiesel. Read full article (728 k PDF file)
	Making the most of every megalitre The Moon family, Yenda, Murrumbidgee Valley, NSW – Producers of rice, corn, cereals, soybeans, faba beans, lucerne, & lot-fed cattle & sheep Efficiency of irrigation water, and rainfall as well, has been improved through good irrigation layouts with recycling capability, matching crops to soil type and layout, soil management practices to improve moisture retention and better agronomic practices. These improvements have contributed to profitability, as have growing higher value seed crops and feedlotting with low value grain. Read full article (727 k PDF file)
	Adapting to a better tomorrow Mark Cameron & Jason Mitchell, Carrathool, Murrumbidgee Valley, NSW – Producers of corn, wheat, barley, peas & canola An innovative business partnership has brought together a farmer and an agronomist, and a business with sufficient flexibility to meet the challenges of changing water allocations and variable rainfall. They are increasing the area of the property under raised beds, to provide greater choice of crops and the potential to double crop. Irrigation design and machinery purchases also reflect their aim for flexibility. Read full article (750 k PDF file)
	Meeting challenges with diversity Tony & Katy Hamilton, Forbes, Lachlan Valley, NSW – Producers of lucerne, winter cereals, oaten hay, soybeans, sorghum, jojoba & cattle Diversity is the key to the Hamilton business. They have access to both river water and bore water and have developed much of their irrigation area into raised beds to provide the flexibility to grow a wide range of crops. They have improved water use efficiency through better designed layouts, the installation of a recycling system, and improved flow rates onto fields. Read full article (878 k PDF file)
	Dynamic business defies drought Tim & Sally Watson, Hillston, Lachlan Valley, NSW – Producers of cotton, sweet corn, winter cereals, faba beans, watermelons & pumpkins An amazing amount of work and an amazing level of production has been achieved in this business in seven years – most of which have been affected by drought. The Watsons achieve the most profitable and efficient use of their water through matching soil types to the most suitable irrigation type and to the most suitable crop type. Their attention to detail is paying dividends. Read full article (823 k PDF file)
	Lots of little efficiencies Harry & Jenny Kooloos, Mayrung, Murray Valley, NSW – Producers of wheat, canola, peas & rice Over the years, Harry Kooloos has made improvements in water use efficiency through direct drilling, stubble retention and changes to flood irrigation layouts. In turn these efficiencies have also reduced labour and machinery operations. In recent years, Harry has reversed his thinking on irrigation layouts and devised the successful “V-bay” layout. Read full article (770 k PDF file)