PHOTO: APPSFORAGRI
PHOTO: BEACON FIELDS
PHOTO: DACOM
MOISTURE MANAGEMENT ▶▶▶
This is how Dutch growers manage irrigation
T BY RENÉ KOERHUIS & MARTIN SMITS
he 2018 growing season was excep- tionally dry throughout Europe and throughout other continents as well. Many growers have therefore assured
themselves of (additional) irrigation capacity for this year’s growing season and have invest- ed in irrigation systems. Every manufacturer we approached says that they can hardly keep up with demand.
Additional capacity wanted The Dutch distributor of Ferbo and Irrimec sys- tems says that 70% of purchases of new equipment is made by growers who want ad- ditional irrigation capacity. Also other brands like Bauer, Faber, Irrifrance and Perrot noticed an increased need for more capacity. Most commonly used are hose reel systems with a 125 and 140 mm hose diameter. The distribu- tor of Perrot and Greenfield hose reel systems
AppsforAgri
Technology: Sensoterra. Type: SoilMate. Communication: LPWAN. Measuring depth(s) (cm): 15/30/60/90. Measurement(s): volumetric soil moisture in %. Transmitting interval (min): 60. Dutch list price (excl. VAT): € 189. Monthly costs: € 7.50.
www.smartfarm.nl/ en
www.sensoterra.com
The Dutch are renown for their expertise on water management based on ages of battling seas and rivers. So how do Dutch growers manage their irrigation and what are the latest trends on this? And what sensors do they use to trigger their irrigation systems?
says that 125 mm is mostly sufficient as a big- ger hose also means more intense ‘rain show- ers’ from the sprinklers. Hose lengths tend to limit to 500 meters (140 mm hose) up to 700 meters (125 mm hose) because of trans- port dimensions and limitations. Although hose reels are most commonly used by Dutch growers, they do realise that these are not ideal from the perspective of water uti- lisation. This has led to an increased interest for irrigation booms although these are only ac- count for a very small percentage of sales and market shares. Growers however do see the benefits of irrigation booms such as a lower
Beacon Fields
Technology: Sensohive. Type: Beacon Soil 30/100. Communication: LPWAN. Measuring depth(s) (cm): 30/100. Measurement(s): soil moisture (%), temperature and light. Transmitting interval (min): 60. Dutch list price (excl. VAT): € 269/€ 369. Monthly costs: € 4,00.
www.beaconfields.com
pressure (about half of the hose reel systems), lower energy consumption and thus increased pump capacity, a better distribution and less sensitive to wind. The intensity of the water however is higher than that of hose reel sys- tems, but for advancing germination, nothing beats a 10 mm dose from irrigation booms. It’s mostly the practical drawbacks that prevent these systems from increased market penetra- tion. These include relocation of the spray booms en logistical challenges of large booms. Central and linear pivots are even less popular in the Netherlands because of the fact that most fields simply aren’t suitable for pivots.
Dacom
Technology: Dacom. Type: Sensetion. Communication: 2G/3G. Measuring depth(s) (cm): 25. Measurement(s): soil moisture (mm). Transmitting interval (min): 60. Dutch list price (excl. VAT): € 1.095. Monthly costs: none.
www.dacom.nl
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▶ FUTURE FARMING | 24 May 2019
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