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 South-East Queensland Irrigation Futures Research and Development Support
The South-East Queensland Irrigation Futures (SEQIF) Research and Development Support (RADS) project was funded by the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) over three years to provide research and technical support to the SEQIF Industry Development Officers (IDOs) and SEQ Catchment staff. The key objectives were to:
- provide research and development outcomes that will underpin a 10% improvement in water use efficiency by 2009 for SEQIF,
- provide the basis for changes in on-farm water management practices and/or take-up of more water efficient equipment and operations through Research and Development (R&D),
- assist in the uptake of farm management systems through better definition of best management practices and efficiency targets, and
- assist grower involvement in SEQIF by providing up to date research for SEQIF stakeholders by conducting research at a local level while having access to the broader research framework of the CRC for Irrigation Futures (CRCIF) at a national level.
The RADS team worked closely with IDOs on more than 16 trial sites throughout SEQ conducting crop water use efficiency and benchmarking studies, crop vigour and EM38 surveys, pressurised irrigation monitoring system (PIMS) testing, monitoring root zone salinity accumulation and nutrient fluxes and developing and supporting a range of monitoring tools that facilitated the objectives. The monitoring tools to improve water use efficiency included: PIMS, Data Signature Logger (Smart water metering), continuous logging tensiometers, soil solute monitoring tools, and weight based irrigation scheduling devices.
Optimising performance and managing infield variability was conducted using vegetative index sensors (Greenseekers(R)) and electromagnetic (EM38) soil surveys for Dairy, Turf and Horticultural industries. This constituted a considerable amount of activity in spatial variability in irrigated production, utilising NDVI to monitor turf production and quality. Data signature logging continually provided useful insights into the operation of sophisticated and simplistic irrigation systems in the floral and horticultural industries. Whilst the use of PIMS in Turf and Dairy implemented significant changes to irrigation infrastructure and irrigation management thought processes. Significant advancements were made in irrigation scheduling and management in the nursery industry under the development of weight based crop water use monitoring. However the research trial to evaluate root zone management under lettuce production was a major undertaking by RADS in 2008/09, the full draft report is under review by the our clients prior to dissemination.
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 South-East Queensland Irrigation Futures Research and Development Support (2.60 MB)
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 Field evaluation of nitrate and salt movement: Lettuce Production in South-East Queensland
Leaching of excess nitrogen from cropping systems is one cause of high nitrogen concentrations in waterways and ground water, which can lead to health problems for aquatic life, livestock and humans. The aim of this work was to determine the movement of nitrogen and salts in a soil under lettuce production.
Two field trials (the early and the late season trials) were conducted during the summer of 2008-2009 for crops of ‘Iceberg lettuce’ grown in a clay soil near Cambooya. After transplanting, the trials were sprinkler irrigated until the plants’ were well established, after which they were irrigated by drip irrigation located
between the plant rows.
During each trial, four replicates of six solute samplers were installed to monitor soil water nitrate and electrical conductivity throughout the profile. Solute samplers were installed at depths of 15, 30 and 50 cm below the soil surface and at 0, 15 and 30 cm from the closest drip emitter and a suction of 20 kPa was applied after each sampling event.
Daily water and nitrogen balances were calculated for each trial using the metered volumes of irrigation water and fertiliser applied, on-site rainfall records and estimated crop uptake from previous studies and on-site weather data. Soil cores were taken at the beginning and end of each trial to find the initial and final moisture contents and nitrate and ammonium concentrations as well to determine the water holding capacity of the soil. Once the water holding capacity of the soil had been exceeded in the daily balances the remaining water was assumed to have leached, carrying with it any nitrogen in the soil water.
The daily balances calculated that during the early season trial 1944 kL of water leached 118 kg of nitrogen per hectare. In the late season trial lower soil nitrogen concentrations and lower rainfall resulted in only a calculated 456 kL of water leaching 16 kg of nitrogen per hectare. The majority of the leaching occurred as a
result of major rainfall events, however minor leaching was predicted to occur as a result of excess irrigation, especially at the beginning and end of the irrigation periods.
Field evaluation of nitrate and salt movement: Lettuce Production in South-East Queensland (495.09 KB)
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 Management and Implementation of a Knowledge Management System for Irrigation (KMSI) in South East Queensland
The development of a knowledge management system for irrigation in South East Queensland will be an ongoing process that will involve the consolidation and application of software tools developed to date. From a process of engagement with industry, software tools have been developed around the key information systems which make up the knowledge management system for irrigation in South East
Queensland (KMSI‐SEQ). These systems and the respective software tools include:
1. Electronic Library and Web Tools
• SEQIF Web Site
• Water Resource Info Tool
2. Irrigation Audit Database
• IPART
• IPERT
• Irrigation Performance Monitoring Software
3. Farm Resource Mapping System
• GMap
4. IDO Tools
• EconCalc
• IRUSTIC
• Water Manager Tool
• EnergyCalc
5. Grower Tool
• IRES Pilot
• Grower Data Capture Tool
6. Regional Statistics Platform and Benchmarking
• RESSTAT
Working versions of each of these tools have been completed with minor exception.These tools are at various levels of maturity and require further industry engagement. To date most of the work within KMSI has focused on developing tools to complement current activities with particular emphasis on functionality. Future work will need to focus on developing and formalising links between each of the systems and to develop the reporting mechanism of these tools particularly at a regional level.
Management and Implementation of a Knowledge Management System for Irrigation (KMSI) in South East Queensland (3.54 MB)
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 Review of Precision Irrigation Technologies
and their Application
Precision irrigation is still in its infancy both in Australia and internationally. Despite the widespread promotion and adoption of precision agriculture in dry land cropping systems, the concept of irrigation as a component of precision agricultural systems has not been widely canvassed. Irrigation is commonly viewed as a less than precise activity and the potential for precision irrigation is yet to be adequately evaluated. This report is a review of relevant irrigation research, existing technologies and the use of precision irrigation. It includes an assessment of the role of current irrigation application technologies in precision irrigation, variable rate applications, adaptive control and the sensing and decision support requirements. The review provides a framework to guide research and development of precision irrigation and its associated sensing, control, and decision support technologies.
Precision farming requires a real-time knowledge regarding the processes which are limiting production at any time in all areas of the field. The experience from precision agriculture suggests that the variables controlling crop yield are those that require within season management (eg, water, nitrogen, pests and diseases), in other words those requiring an automatic response. It also suggests that the temporal variations (within and between seasons) are greater than the spatial variability that the variable rate technologies attempt to address.
Experience also suggests that the practice of precision agriculture might be far more effective when applied in irrigated rather than dry-land agricultural systems. It might also be possible that spatially varied inputs to production (other than water) will be less necessary for irrigated crops as the improved water management reduces the significance of other input interactions. The role of irrigation as a spatially varied input to production is a natural extension of its present and primary role of minimising the temporal variation in crop water supply.
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1003017/1 Review of Precision Irrigation Technologies and their Application.pdf (14.29 MB)
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A review of Basin (Contour) Irrigation Systems II: Research needs for evaluation and designThere is currently no suitable simulation models available for "off-the-shelf" use with the range of basin systems found in the southern Murray-Darling Basin (MDB). The key issue to be solved is how to account for the volume of surface storage in the current models so that they can be used with field data to determine infiltration parameters from inverse modelling. CoBaSim has the greatest applicability to the majority of contour basin systems currently installed, but the software is unsupported and unusable. Furthermore, the key input parameters of infiltration and surface roughness can not be obtained from inverse modelling of field data and must be obtained independently. The SRFR simulation model can cope with a number of field layouts, but it requires validation in typical basin layouts used in the southern MDB. The in-field evaluation tools used with Irrimate™ in furrow and graded border systems are not suited to basin systems which are characterised by irregular surface storage and two-dimensional flow. Methods are needed for measuring flows which do not influence upstream or downstream conditions and which are not affected by submergence. The following is recommended: 1. that a review be conducted to identify alternatives to flumes for measuring flows e.g. ultrasonic meters or rated head control structures; 2. that techniques for measuring furrow discharges in level furrow systems be investigated 3. measurements of water depth along the length and across the width of the basin be taken to provide information on the uniformity of opportunity times with a view to determining a minimum number of measurements. |
CRCIF-IM0108-Report2-web.pdf (788.59 KB) |
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Field evaluation of marginal water use and root zone salinity Beetroot in the Lockyer ValleyHigher water use efficiency often results in the application of conservative leaching fractions. Coupled with deficit irrigations and the use of marginal quality water the risk of salt accumulation in the profile increases. The aim of this trial was to assess salt accumulation in the root zone as a result of using marginal quality water for irrigation of a beetroot crop in the Lockyer Valley. A field trial was conducted in a 4.4 hectare field of baby beets (beetroot) planted on a vertosol soil in the Lockyer Valley. The beetroots were planted on 9 July 2007, with the trial beginning on 3 September 2007. The field was irrigated using two runs of a travelling boom, with water that had electrical conductivity (EC) > 2 dS/m. An assessment of the irrigation uniformity was undertaken based on catch can tests of two irrigation events. The Distribution and Christiansen Uniformities (approximately 80-85 % and 85-90 % respectively) were acceptable, although larger irrigation depths were found near the irrigator and lower irrigation depths measured near the edge of the field. During the second irrigation the last eight sprinklers on the left side of the boom were turned off which did not adversely affect the irrigation uniformity of the wetted area. However, the average depth applied to this area increased by approximately 25 %. Based on the catch can analyses, approximately 38 mm/irrigation was applied to the trial sites when all sprinklers were turned on. This increased to ~50 mm/irrigation when some sprinklers were turned off. Two trial sites were established to conduct solute sampling, one each on the eastern and western sides of the field. At each site, four solute samplers were installed at depths of 15, 30 and 60 cm below the soil surface. A suction of 40 kPa was applied to the solute samplers to extract solute and measure its salinity after each irrigation event and after the one effective rainfall event. The results showed an accumulation of salts in the rootzone over time, until leaching occurred as a result of the rainfall event. Significant differences in initial EC values, salt accumulation and rainfall leaching were measured between the sites, presumably due to differences in the volume and timing of irrigation events. Intense sampling was also undertaken by sequentially increasing the suction applied to the solute samplers (10, 25, 40 and 60 kPa). This process found no measurable differences in EC as a result of the applied suction pressure. According to beetroot yield salinity thresholds (4 dS/m), slight yield reductions due to rootzone salinity were predicted for the Western site of the field. Whilst the rainfall event near the conclusion of the trial caused substantial leaching, it did not return EC levels to those recorded at the beginning of the trial. Without increased leaching either before the next crop is planted or during the irrigation season, the increase in rootzone salinity from one season to the next would be expected to result in yield reductions over time. |
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 Irrimate Surface Irrigation Database: User Manual and Technical
Documentation
The Irrimate Surface Irrigation Database, known by the acronym ISID is designed to collate field measurements and simulation results to facilitate benchmarking of surface irrigation performance at the farm, catchment and industry levels.
ISID is fully compatible with the Irrimate™ system. It provides the ability to record and store all data necessary to conduct simulation runs, system evaluation and optimisation using Irrimate™ procedures. However, the system is generic and may be applied to a range of field measurement and evaluation techniques.
The ISID is a web-interfaced database enabling distributed data entry. The complete system allows users to search through previous evaluations in order to create industry snapshots filtered by district, season, and soil type amongst other selected parameters. ISID is founded on a secure and proven database structure, ensuring complete anonymity of between separate users.
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Irrimate Surface Irrigation Database: User Manual and Technical Documentation (1.49 MB)
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 Benchmarking Water Management in the Australian Cotton Industry
In the cotton industry the practice of surface irrigation evaluations had been greatly successful over the past decade. Considering Irrimate™ consultants alone there was in excess of 300 evaluations performed prior to and including the 2004-2005 season. Although there have been a large number of evaluations performed, it is generally difficult to source reliable information on the current state of the irrigation industry. The Irrimate Surface Irrigation Database (ISID) was conceived to use this data to conduct industry wide benchmarking of existing performance and demonstrate realised and potential improvements to irrigation performance.
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Benchmarking Water Management in the Australian Cotton Industry.pdf (752.33 KB) |
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 The South-East Queensland Irrigation Futures (SEQIF) Research and Development Support (RADS) Project
The South-East Queensland Irrigation Futures (SEQIF) Research and Development Support (RADS) project has been funded by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water initially for two years to provide research and technical support to the SEQIF Industry Development Officers and SEQ Catchment staff. The key objectives are to: provide research and development outcomes that will underpin a 10% improvement in water use efficiency by 2009 for SEQIF; provide the basis for changes in on-farm water management practices and/or take-up of more water efficient equipment and operations through Research and Development (R&D); assist in the uptake of farm management systems through better definition of best management practices and efficiency targets; and assist grower involvement in SEQIF by providing up to date research for SEQIF stakeholders by conducting research at a local level while having access to the broader research framework of the CRC for Irrigation Futures at a national level. |
SEQIFRADS_QtrRep_Dec08_final.pdf (81.81 KB) |
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 Loss of storage water through evaporation with particular reference to arid zone pastoralism in Australia
The objective of this review is to undertake an international literature review on the loss of storage water through surface evaporation. This includes the impact water evaporation has on semi-arid and arid livestock pastoral enterprises, the technologies available to reduce water evaporation and an assessment of their applicability, cost and practicality for arid zone pastoralism. |
DKCRC-Working-19-Evaporation.pdf (6.80 MB)
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 A Grower Guide to Plant Based Sensing for Irrigation Scheduling
The adoption and use of plant based measurement sensors in agriculture has increased in recent years as a result of technological advances and a great focus on the spatial management of crop inputs. For practitioners, there seems to be a never ending array of new tools being released onto the market each season. Similarly, plant monitoring sensors which were originally developed for research applications are increasingly being used for commercial irrigation scheduling. However, the wide range of scheduling tools available, and the reputed benefits of each tool, make it difficult for farmers and researchers to identify the appropriate technology to use for their purpose.
This publication was conceived as a first reference point for individuals who are new to plant based sensing. It is also hoped that the collation of this plant based sensor information will assist farmers and industry advisers to make more informed decisions in relation to the choice and use of plant based sensing technology for irrigation scheduling. Chapter 1 provides a brief introduction to the measurement options for scheduling irrigation and the benefits associated with plant based approaches. The main types of plant based sensing involve either contact sensing of the plant and non-contact sensing. Chapter 2 discusses the main contact methods of plant sensing while Chapter 4 highlights the non-contact proximal and remote plant sensing methods.
Each sensing method is discussed in the same way to enable easy comparisons. A brief overview is provided followed by details on the method of operation, maintenance requirements, typical purchase costs, and the advantage and disadvantages of the method for commercial irrigation scheduling. Contact information for manufacturers and/or dealers is also provided at the end of each section. However, all information in relation to specific products and costs should be regarded as indicative only as the products, costs and suppliers are constantly changing.
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A Grower Guide to Plant Based Sensing for Irrigation Scheduling (835.37 KB)
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 On-farm water use efficiency in the Northern Murray-Darling Basin
This report identified significant opportunities for improved on-farm water use efficiency (WUE) in the Northern Murray Darling Basin. Valley characteristics in terms of crops grown and irrigation systems, drivers for private investment in water use efficiency and the economics of investments in irrigation improvements have been investigated. This information has informed a number of recommendations identifying future research needs and knowedge gaps in the Northern Murray Darling Basin. Options for the accelerated uptake and adoption are discussed. |
NBP_-_Final_Report_Onfarm_WUE.pdf (6.50 MB)
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 Desktop Review of Polyacrylamide use in the Australian Cotton Industry
The purpose of this review was to establish the extent to which PAM is useful in agricultural application, particularly within the cotton industry in Australia and identify knowledge gaps and make key recommendations for future research, development and extension. In Agriculture, PAM and other polymers have been historically used as a soil conditioner similar to gypsum and lime.
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PAM_Report.pdf (309.16 KB) |
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 Increasing the sustainability and efficiency of irrigated agriculture in the Dawson Valley Irrigation Area
This project was funded by the Fitzroy Basin Association as part of the National Action Plan on Salinity and Water Quality to identify strategies to improve the performance and sustainability of irrigation practices within the DVIA and local area. This project was conducted over a three year period from 2004-2007 on farms adjacent to the Dawson River (south of Theodore) and in the DVIA at Theodore, Queensland. To achieve the expected outcomes the project was delineated into three activities: Intensive field monitoring trial site comparing current (Control) and improved (Treatment) irrigation performance and runoff water quality from two fields. |
Dawson_FinalReport_1001206.pdf (1.29 MB) |
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 Knowledge management system for irrigation in South East Queensland
Information management across irrigation landscapes in the region has been identified as a key process to support the on-farm objectives of SEQ-IF. A detailed implementation plan and strategies for a Knowledge Management System for Irrigation in SEQ (KMSI-SEQ) has been developed. The aim of the project is to develop and implement the systems that will improve irrigation information and knowledge exchange in SEQ, particularly relating to:
- Irrigation extension information – reports and research and simple tools
- Databases for irrigation auditing and benchmarking information
- On-farm mapping resources
- Region-wide information on irrigated area and water use (current and historical)
- Sundry other information relevant to irrigation in the region.
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SEQ IF KMSI-SEQ Final Report v 5 2.pdf (6.49 MB) |
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 Economic ready reckoner for evaporation mitigation systems
The Evaporation Ready Reckoner is a tool for analysing the economics of various evaporation mitigation strategies. The ‘Ready Reckoner’ is a model which performs a simple, site-specific economic assessment of the viability of evaporation mitigation systems. The user enters appropriate data to customise the ‘Ready Reckoner’ to their site. The ‘Ready Reckoner’ returns the volume of water saved (in ML) and the cost of the evaporation mitigation system used to save this water ($/ML/year). |
NPSI Ready Reckoner Final Report.pdf (882.15 KB) |
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 Flow Measurement in Bay Irrigation Systems
The most significant limitation to infield evaluation of bay irrigation systems is easily obtaining an accurate measurement of flowrate without interfering with the “normal” operation of the field. An investigation was conducted to identify various methods of flow determination and to assess relative performance in field trials. The various methods of flow determination included directly measuring the flow through area velocity techniques and characterising the head discharge relationship of the gate. |
Bay Gate Report.pdf (1.05 MB)
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 Extension, adoption and technical support for evaporation mitigation from farm dams
Significant interest arose from the community and other stakeholders following the Rural Water Use Efficiency Initiative (RWUEI) Evaporation Control Project. The project was completed in April 2005 with the production of NCEA Publication “Controlling Evaporation Loss from Water Storages”.
Following on from this project the NCEA were commissioned to undertake a project on extension, adoption and technical support for evaporation mitigation from farm dams. This final report captures all activities that have been undertaken during the extension project.
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1001648 Final Report.pdf (993.65 KB) |
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 Control of Evaporation Loss from Water Storage
The National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture (NCEA) has completed a study assessing different techniques for suppressing evaporation from storages. The project has been funded by the Queensland Government’s Department of Natural Resources and Mines through their Rural Water Use Efficiency Initiative (RWUEI). Evaporation mitigation technologies assessed included chemical monolayers, floating covers, modules and suspended shade structures. The technologies were investigated according to their efficiency in reducing evaporation, durability in the field and economic practicality.
A major outcome of the project has been increased awareness of the potential for evaporation reduction on water storages and the development of methodologies which allow the accurate measurement of seepage and evaporation rates from storages. The project has shown that different EMT’s are appropriate in different situations, depending on the surface area, location and storage operational requirement.
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 Executive Summary (119.60 kb)
Full Report (6.21 MB) |
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 Sustainable and safe playing surfaces for Australian Football League sports fields
The Australian Football League Queensland has been investigating options to improve the performance of its Premier League sporting fields in Brisbane. As a first step towards identifying appropriate soil management treatments to improve the performance of these playing surfaces, a laboratory evaluation was undertaken to characterise the effect of water applications and soil amendments on the subsequent physical and hydraulic properties of various soil profile materials. The specific objectives of this investigation were to:
- Evaluate the factors influencing the potential for structural degradation of soil surfaces;
- Evaluate the potential to modify surface hardness properties by the application of water (e.g irrigation/rainfall) prior to playing on these surfaces; and
- Evaluate the potential benefits of applying soil amendments on soil structural properties influencing agronomic responses, playability and injury risk.
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1000817 EberhardRaine_NCEA1000817_2_AFLQLabAssessment.pdf (1.31 MB) |
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 Laundry grey water potential impact on Toowoomba soils
The Queensland State Government is considering making the on site use of domestic grey water legal in sewered areas. Toowoomba City Council is actively investigating the potential impacts of this legislative change on the demand for water from the city’s storages and on the environmental and health issues that may result from its use.
This suitability study focused on grey water produced by laundries. Laundry grey water contains nutrients such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). It also contains soluble salts, of which, sodium can have adverse impacts on soil structure. Laundry grey water may also contain bacteria that are harmful to human health.
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1001420 NCEA_TCC_Final_2.pdf (1.70 MB) |
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 Improving plants’ water use efficiency and potential impacts from soil structure change - research investment opportunities
The National Program for Sustainable Irrigation commissioned this scoping document to assist in its research investment deliberations. The key questions addressed by this scoping study are: What understanding, techniques and tools require further explanation or development to improve water use efficiency? How well do we understand the impacts of long-term irrigation on soil structure? What are the effects of soil structure change (within and around the rowater and rate of movement along various pathways of salts? |
LWA_ER050939.pdf (257.23 KB)
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 Soil-water and salt movement associated with precision irrigation systems - Research investment opportunities
The National Program for Sustainable Irrigation commissioned this scoping document to assist in its research investment deliberations. The key question addressed by this scoping study is: What has to be developed or modified to understand and monitor the three dimensional flow of water and salt movement in:
(a) the root zone when precision irrigation systems are used, and
(b) the soil profile, assuming that we are able to manage the preferred salt storage zones?
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LWA_ER050938.pdf (520.44 KB) |
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 A Scoping Study on Measuring and Monitoring Tools and Technology for Precion Irrigation
This scoping study is designed to advance high standards of precision in management of water and develop efficient methods of irrigation prescription to reduce losses and improve water use efficiency. All aspects of irrigation process are considered in this study to include various components of farm water storage and distribution systems to facilitate accurate accounting of water, including:
- Identify key attributes and specifications for various tools (sensors and control systems) for precision irrigation management;
- Develop strategies to fill current gaps in the functionality of various tools and technology available for irrigation; and
- Prioritise opportunities to refine and/or develop new tools and technology to increase on-farm precision and meet off-farm hydrology needs.
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CRCIF-IM-0105w2.pdf (1.13 MB) |
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 A Scoping Study on Opportunities for Improved Application Systems
Efficient application of irrigation water will be key for profitable and sustainable irrigation. There is a critical need for adoption of existing and development of new tools, technologies and practices allowing precise application of irrigation to maximise water use efficiency, profitability and sustainability. This report identifies opportunities to improve water use efficiency, profitability and sustainability in the context of the irrigation application system. The report is the result of an extensive scoping program across all CRC Irrigation Futures regions and a large number of agricultural industries as well as a national workshop which confirmed and prioritised opportunities for development of selected technologies. Fourteen reports prepared by project collaborators have been the basis for the synthesised recommendations made in this report.
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CRCIF-IM-0205-w.pdf (987.62 KB) |
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Publications - 2004 and earlier
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 Drip Irrigation in the Australian Cotton Industry
Results of Survey of drip irrigation suppliers and designers and users within the Australian Cotton Industry with particular reference to system performance and opportunities for improvement.
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Drip Irrigation in the Australian Cotton Industry (351.62 KB) |
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 Mobile Spray System Evaluation
This document reports the findings from a survey of cotton growers irrigating with centre pivot or lateral move machines as well as equipment manufacturers and dealers of these machines. The survey included 25 face-to-face interviews and 6 telephone interviews with growers as well as interviews with the major manufacturers and dealers within the industry. |
Mobile Spray System Evaluation (764.08 KB) |
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 A Decision Support System for Improving Water Use Efficiency in the Northern Murray-Darling Basin
The Murray-Darling Basin is the most productive agricultural area in Australia. There is a high concentration of irrigated farming which is the nation’s largest user of water, accounting for 70% of all water used. It is estimated that 10,240 gigalitres of water are allocated to 2.41 million hectares of land, mostly within the Murray-Darling Basin and irrigation accounts for over 95% of all diversions. Australia and in particular north-eastern Australia has the most variable climate in the world. The objectives of this project "Decision Support Systems for Improving Water Use Efficiency" were to: • determine the power of seasonal forecast indices for predicting water flows; • demonstrate the benefits of the system to irrigation users and managers in a pilot case study; • develop Decision Support Systems that enable water users and water managers to better manage water resources given improved information on supply and risk; and • develop an extension program to improve the adoption of better risk management strategies. |
MDBC Final Report (4.70 MB) |
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 Development of Diagnostic "Toolkits" for the Evaluation and Improvement of Mobile Sprinkler Irrigation Systems
Sprinkler irrigation is a significant form of water application in Queensland irrigated agriculture, particularly in the sugar and dairy industries, and adoption of the mechanised form (travelling gun, short boom, centre pivot and lateral move machines) is increasing across all industries. However poor performance, particularly poor uniformity, is one significant factor limiting the successful adoption of these machines.
This project was established with the express aim of addressing this poor performance. Its focus was the development of diagnostic tools, encompassing field measurement procedures and appropriate simulation models, to aid in the diagnosis and correction of design, operational and management problems associated with these machines.
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Project 10 Final Report.pdf (311.25 KB)
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 Travelling Gun and Boom Irrigation Machines: Review of Machine Characteristics, Performance Data and Research Issues
In the Queensland sugar, dairy and horticultural sectors, sprinkler irrigation is the most common method of water application. Even though the majority of growers in Queensland rely on overhead irrigation, little in-field performance evaluation has been undertaken on these systems, many of which may be operating at poor efficiencies. Distribution uniformities of less than 20% are common under travelling guns.
The overall aim of this report is to investigate the variety of problems that hinder machine performances, including grower management issues, dealer recommendations and suggested manufacturer data. Techniques and tools used to assist in improving irrigation performances will also be analysed, as well as future research work in this area. This report also presents the current state of knowledge of this equipment by growers, dealers and manufacturers.
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Attachment A - TG&B Literature Review.pdf (9.31 MB)
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Audit of Water and irrigation Water Use Efficiencies on Farms Within the Queensland Horticulture Industry
This project is to collect and analyse information relating to water use on farms, and through identifying best practice, make recommendations that will result in the improvement in water use efficiency on Queensland farms. The project will focus on major production regions and crop types within the state. It will provide comparisons with the efficiencies achieved by other states and overseas operators where information is available. Also it will deliver the findings in a clear and concise manner for practical application by industry bodies, government agencies and farmers. The outcomes of this project will be used to improve the performance of the Queensland horticultural industry. |
Audit of Water and Irrigation Use Efficiencies on Farms Within the Queensland Horticultural Industry (1.08 MB) |
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 Identification and management of dispersive mine spoils
This report details a project that has focussed heavily on soil properties and the impacts of infiltrating water on both soil properties and soil behaviour. Included with the report is a review of literature covering aspects of soil chemistry, structure, clay dispersion, and tunnel erosion.
Specifically, this project aimed to develop:
(a) procedures for identification of dispersive spoils – which can preferably be applied to drill core samples to give early warning of the presence of problem materials;
(b) methods for prediction of potential erosion risks for various degrees of dispersion;
(c) recommendations for placement of dispersive materials so that waste dump stability is not compromised; and
(d) recommendations for management of existing dumps of dispersive material.
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1000469 Dispersive spoils report_final_June2004.pdf (2.46 MB)
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 Assessment of Costs to Attain Target Water Savings from Irrigated Agriculture in the Murray Darling Basin
This report provides a broad indication of the potential costs of achieving irrigation water savings in the Murray Darling Basin through two scenarios, namely
Scenario 1 : Low investment by irrigators using current technology but improving management.
Scenario 2 : High investment with irrigators adopting new irrigation system technology.
A simple spreadsheet approach has been used to provide a transparent methodology to integrate estimated costs of achieving the water savings on a crop and basin basis for the Murray Darling Basin. The worksheets can be readily updated as better data becomes available for different crops and regions.
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1000420 Capital Ag Report.pdf (332.51 KB)
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 Mary River Catchment Water Use Efficiency Project: Scoping Study
This project investigated the current on-farm water management practices of the major agricultural industries within the Mary River valley. The objectives of this scoping report were to identify current on-farm agricultural water management practices and the potential for improved on-farm efficiencies within the catchment. The scoping study involved a desktop analysis of available water use data, including consultation with industry stakeholders and DNR staff, and an on-farm survey of irrigators.
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Mary Water Use Efficiency ScopingStudy.pdf (5.56 MB)
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 Land & Water Management Plans - User Aid
A vehicle to Promote Water Use Efiiciency and Improved Environmental Monitoring and Stewardship User Aids Developed under the Natural Heritage Trust Funded Project
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Land Water Management Plans-User Aid.pdf (3.61 MB)
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 Volumemetric Conversion Process for Water - How Its Done in South Australia
A Presentation by Ross Carruthers (DWLBC)
Toowoomba press 06-03 (.ppt) |
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 Hydromulch Research
Hydromulch involves applying a liquid suspension of fibrous plant material to a newly worked soil surface to reduce erosion and enhamce vegetative regrowth. This material is commonly used on civil construction sites particularly in the road construction industry. Little objective analysis has been undertaken regarding the effectiveness of these materials in relation to erosion control. This project involves the use of a rainfall simulator to assess run off rates and soil trasfer rates after the use of a commercial hydromulch products. The project evaluated Cane Trash, Flax Fiber and paper pulp.
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Hydromulch Research.pdf (287.75 KB)
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AGWISE PART B: Waste Reuse Strategies For Rural Development And Sustainability
Publications 
