Mentoring and training has been an ongoing activity for RADS, although in this last year training and training support was less than in previous years because the demand was reduced. However, mentoring remained active and at the forefront of RADS support as it had been in previous years. Mentoring included; a) Provision of instrumentation advice and field support for installation, maintenance and data acquisition. b) Provision of guidance on strategic data collection and benchmark reporting over project life. c) The incorporation of spatial variability data in to GIS mapping systems. In a similar vein RADS continued discussions on weight based irrigation scheduling development and implementation of collaborative research with DEEDI. Mentoring support often extended to general liaising and coordinating in regard to performance evaluation, software and tools with industry consultants such as Daley Water Services. The various tools and activities have highlighted significant issues with irrigation machines and practices which through mentoring and training have enhanced the IDOs research and extension capacity.

All research data are reported in the attached Annexes to this document. Also in keeping with the reporting requirements a series if information sheets have been developed and published on the SEQIF website to highlight the tools available to the IDO‘s which support their extension work in SEQ.

All outputs whether reported here or not have been delivered to the IDO‘s for their inclusion in their activities or for discussion with their clients. There have also been a number of opportunities to present the outcomes and activities to industry and catchment stakeholders one of the most important being the RADS activity presentation at Annual Research Forum for the CRCIF. It aroused considerable interest in the delivery model and the instrumentation developed by RADS.

Following ratification by the IDOs, the plan was forwarded to DERM for final comment and clarification. Following some points of clarification and detailed discussion with IDO‘s and Board Members, the following was established as broad outline of continuing R&D.

To provide R&D with PIMS, sensor/instrument support, and more importantly continue to evaluate spatial variability and irrigation deficits with the EM38 (scheduling and irrigation performance).

To apply significant effort into establishing an interface between the weight-based scheduling (WBS) tool (data logger, etc) and on-farm irrigation controllers commonly used (e.g. Hunter, Rainbird, etc) within nursery production.

To provide R&D with PIMS, sensor/instrument support, and more importantly continue to evaluate spatial variability and irrigation deficits with the EM38. Focusing on CWU, root zone management and climate change mitigation

SEQIF RADS would continue to provide R&D with PIMS, sensor/instrument support and more importantly continue to research spatial variably and irrigation deficits with the EM38 and turf quality indicators with the NDVI.

Continuation to provide R&D with PIMS, Smart water metering (DSL) and sensor/instrument support. Assist in developing Drip/Micro Irrigation Maintenance Workshops. Integration of drainage monitoring tools, develop indoor crop water use measuring and introduce EM38 surveying to in-ground production systems.