Smarter Irrigation 2: Scaling irrigation management to support whole farm operations

This project will develop a whole-of-farm scale gravity fed irrigation management system with the aim of increasing on farm water use efficiency. Engineering, agronomic and scheduling water use efficiency (WUE) technologies are available to irrigators, but their adoption and management continue to be a significant challenge. WUE technologies typically target a single point (eg soil moisture at a location) or part of the farm (eg individual irrigation bays) and are rarely used at the whole-of-farm scale. This project will enhance the growth and utilisation of pastures by scaling irrigation management to support whole farm operations. It will quantify the value of whole-of-farm irrigation scheduling and highlight the benefits of enhanced water management to industry.