irrigation equipment: changing technologies - melvyn kay (uk irrigation association)

Melvyn KayUK Irrigation Association

An independent organisation promoting the wise use of water for irrigation

Irrigation equipment-changing technologies

Changing technologies

Energy costs are forcing farmers to address efficiency

Assuming a raingun, hosereel &diesel pump (2008 prices)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Water

abour

nergy

Total

Cost £

Total

Energy

Labour

Water

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Jan/05 Jul/05 Jan/06 Jul/06 Jan/07 Jul/07 Jan/08 Jul/08

Gas

oil

p/l

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Elec

trici

ty p

/kW

h

Gas oil Electricity

Irrigation costs to apply 25 mm on 1 ha

Hess and Weatherhead, 2008

StrawberriesGrade 1 £3000/tGrade 3 £100/t

Efficiency driven by quality assurancenot yield

Is this the right option for you?

The pathway to ‘efficiency’

Optimise the irrigation network and equipment

Efficient irrigation

Demonstrate ‘best practice’

Optimise soil and water management

Understanding your system

Adequacy, efficiency, uniformity

• Adequacy – applying enough water?

• Efficiency - wastage?

• Uniformity – is water evenly spread?

Without good uniformity, it is impossible to irrigate adequately and efficiently

The humble sprinkler - the future of irrigation?

Pump

Solid set systems – sprinkler positions

Pump

Solid set systems – valved laterals

Pump

Solid set systems – valvedsprinklers

Trickle irrigation

Booms

Getting the right pump and motor

Not just about technologies

• Water abstractor groups

• Need to look up as well as down

• A voice for water in agriculture

Keep in touch

• Join the UK Irrigation Association• Get on the emailing list• Send a BLANK email to:

ukiainfo@getresponse.com