By eliminating the need for high pressures, N-Drip closes the gap between flood and drip irrigation. The system operates with up to 0.87 PSI/0.06 bar of water pressure, which eliminates the need for a costly pumping station.
make sure the beginning and the end of the blocks get the same amount of water and fer- tiliser. “This will ensure uniformity in growth,” the general manager emphasises. “This also means you get consistency in your fields. In flooded fields it is very common that the bot- tom is suffering because it’s getting to much water. When it’s soaked, plants will not grow.”
The N-Drip system also saves farmers energy. “Even when you are flood irrigating, the tailwa- ter has to go back,” David Stern adds. “Up to 20% of your water will go back into your drain- age system. Some of it will disappear. In some cases, you will need to pump it from drainage to a secondary dam, and then from there to the main dam. This will cost energy. When you’re drip irrigating, you don’t have tailwater. We’re saving both water and energy.”
Big rain event Udi David Stern emphasises that drip irrigation delivers the water directly to the roots of the plants. “You create an important balance
Drought affects production
Australia’s agricultural sector has been re- markably resilient in 2019-20 despite pro- longed drought and widespread bushfires, according to the Australian Bureau of Agri- cultural and Resource Economics and Sci- ence. The value of Australian farm produc- tion this season, ending 30 June 2020, is expected to be AUS $ 59 billion (US$ 38, € 35 billion), down from AU$ 62b in 2018-19. The current season is helped by high commodity prices. Farmers have achieved this with ex- tremely low rainfall; across the wheat zone amongst the lowest 10% on record for two consecutive years in 2018 and 2019 since the earliest statistics were recorded in 1900.
Drought-related falls in production have re- duced farm incomes in certain regions. Aver-
Australian farm production this season is expected to be worth AU$ 59 billion.
age farm cash incomes for all broadacre farms are projected to fall this season by 8% from AU$ 165,700 per farm in 2018-’19 to AU$ 153,000 (US$ 108,000 to 100,000) per farm in 2019-’20. A total of 31% of Australian broadacre farms will have negative farm cash incomes, compared to 26% in 2018-’19 and 15% in 2017-’18.
▶ FUTURE FARMING | 22 May 2020 41
PHOTO: RENÉ GROENEVELD
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