A GROUP of Leeton shire irrigators have had their lives made easier thanks to new technology.
Growers at Gogeldrie have said they are pleased with how the newly-automated Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) outlets are performing, complementing their on-farm automation systems.
Dallas Stott said the new automated outlet worked well with his on-farm irrigation structures as they had been automated for a number of years.
“Having the MI outlets now automated is allowing me to take full advantage of my own on-farm automation – it’s just brilliant,” he said.
Trials at outlet sites were established to assess two independent suppliers in early 2017.
They concluded at the end of the 2016-17 irrigation season, with Rubicon being selected as the preferred supplier of the automated SlipGate.
The beauty of the SlipGate is it can be retro fitted to existing structures so installation is quick for those wanting to keep the existing outlet capacity.
Whitton irrigator Tim Commins said the whole automation project had been well handled from the get go with everything from communication to installation impressing him.
“MI were really proactive in fitting in with our irrigation cycles,” he said.
“They were super informative during the whole process including giving us information on the sizing of the outlets.
“This allowed us to make the decision to change our outlets size and configuration to better suit our farming business.”
Irrigation Research and Extension Committee chairman and Gogeldrie grower, Rob Houghton, said this was a once in a lifetime opportunity for farmers to modernise their irrigation supply system or cancel their outlets altogether.
“Installation of the channel structures had its challenges due to summer crop irrigation requirements and rainfall interruptions,” he said.
“But the progress made has been outstanding, with a continued high level of co-operation between farmers, contractors and MI, making sure the outlet installation was a smooth process.
“The automation of our water supply system will deliver the best outcomes for our irrigation businesses.
The automated gates will be linked to an Aquamonix electromagnetic meter, with installation of outlets on division three commencing early next year.
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