Irrigation NZ

“Promote Excellence in Irrigation” • Advocacy & Leadership• Education & Training• Research & Innovation

MembershipSchemes, User Groups & Individual Irrigators – 60% of NZ’s irrigated area (720,000ha) Technical & Trade – Over 150 service industries (& government)

WHERE WE IRRIGATE

CLIMATE CHANGE & DROUGHT

Drought Change 1980-1999 to2030-2049

“Long, dry spells are forecast to double by 2040 as temperatures continue to rise and New Zealand heads towards a more Mediterranean climate”. NIWA 2013

Existing = 720,000haCanterbury = 65%Otago = 18%Hawke’s BayMarlboroughTasmanWairarapaBay of PlentyNorthlandPukekoheGisborneManawatuEven West Coast!!

Irrigation

30,000

250,000

10,000

50,000

30,000

10,000

10,000

CANTERBURY

Cost challengeCommunity infrastructure = increased cost

Capital costs ($/ha)– Scheme (off farm) $5,000 - $12,000 – On-farm irrigation $4,000 - $10,000– On-farm development ?

Water Charges ($/ha)– Interest & Principal $700 - $1,700– Scheme operating costs $100 - $500– Total $800 - $2,200

Additional gross profit required = $1,000/ha

Making irrigation pay

• Adding water alone not economic

• Need to intensify farming system– Higher stocking rate– Higher crop yields– Store => Finishing

• Irrigation development = rapid change in land ownership and farming systems -– Livestock => intensive cropping– Livestock => dairy farming– Mixed cropping => viticulture or horticulture

Major hurdle - can I intensify?

• NPS Freshwater Management 2011

• Values, objectives and limits for quantity & quality

• Allocation for water & nutrients

• Irrigators need demonstrate operating to a standard – Good Management Practice

• Accountability – Auditable Farm Environment Plans

• Creates additional cost to Business-as-Usual

SMART Irrigation

The system can apply water efficiently

The use of water is justified

Proof of the above is provided

Sustainably Managed, Accountable, Responsible and Trusted

System Can Apply Water Efficiently• Developments and upgrades:

• with INZ Design and Installation Codes and Standards

Consistent

• demonstrate Design Performance Parameters achieved

Commissioned

• annually to ensure it continues to perform efficiently

Tested

Use of Water

• Demonstrate responsible use annually

Justified

• permit conditions and plan rules

Compliance

Provide Proof

The key to SMART Irrigation

Quality record keeping = new norm

Stage

Document

Training & Qualifications

Decision Support

Design CoP & StandardsFertigation Guideline

Water Measurement

Guideline

Installation CoP

Fertigation Guideline

Water Measurement

Guideline

Commission Guideline

Irrigation Resources

‘Irrigation in a Box’

Performance Assessment

CoP

Design Modules & Certificate

Installation Modules

Commission Module

Operator Modules & Certificate

Assessment Modules & Certificate

Natural Resource

InformationDesign

AccreditationDesign Check

Installation Contract

Quotation Guidelines

CommissionTemplate

O&M TemplateSMART platform = Forecasts, Water

budgets, Moisture sensors, System

constraints

Performance Assessment Guidelines

Web & App Interface

A Co-ordinated ApproachDesign Install Commissio

n Operate Assess