Wtc irrigation and energy expo 2015 (low res)

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Irrigation and Energy Expo Wednesday and Thursday, May 20 and 21, 2015

Open 10 am to 4 pm

Explore all that is new and exciting in irrigation and energy under one roof at Shepparton Showgrounds.

‘Showcasing industry innovation’ www.wtcexpo.com.au

Country News Reaching Australia ’s richest agricultural region

Expo at the forefront of progress

Welcome to the sixth WTC Irrigation and Energy Expo WTC Expo chair Wendy Buck

T

he Water Technology Cluster committee extends a warm welcome to farmers, irrigators and energy-saving enthusiasts and invites them to attend the sixth annual WTC Irrigation and Energy Expo on Wednesday, May 20 and Thursday, May 21 in Shepparton.

The WTC Expo has built strong attendance from participants in the on-farm efficiency programs and Goulburn-Murray Water Connection program, with the aim of delivering up-to-date irrigation information, including the latest water-saving and energy efficient technologies to the farming community.

Come and explore what’s new and exciting on offer at this year’s premium industry event, with the WTC Expo uniting irrigation suppliers, delivery partners and service providers together under one big roof at the Shepparton Showgrounds exhibition building.

This is the perfect opportunity to meet industry leaders in innovation and product development who will be

showcasing their irrigation and energy saving methods and products, including exhibitor demonstrations on-site.

Irrigation engineering professor Rod Smith will be a feature guest speaker on both days, plus farm planners, designers and representatives will be on hand from Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority and Farm Water.

From pipes to pumps to suit all irrigation applications, solar initiatives for dairy pumps and on-farm applications, the expo is a one-stop shop for farmers who enjoy interacting with new technology.

The expo is an initiative of the Goulburn-Murray Water Technology Cluster in partnership with regionally focused organisations, irrigators and local government, to improve efficient use of water for the sustainable future for the irrigation industry.

Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed will open the expo on Wednesday, May 20 at 11 am.

I would like to welcome farmers, exhibitors and other participants to the 2015 WTC Irrigation and Energy Expo.

Now in its sixth year the expo is a Since its establishment in wonderful opportunity for Goulburn Valley Echuca, attendance at the irrigators to see the latest state-of-the-art WTC Irrigation and Energy systems in an informal, hands-on environment. Expo has more than doubled.

As the nation’s food bowl this region I applaud those organising Suzanna Sheed relies heavily on irrigation and we are at the this expo for their vision forefront of innovation and implementation. and enthusiasm. It is events such as this that The growing local and world population, will place this region at the forefront of the climate change and reduced water availability industry. means we need to continually improve The expo is an opportunity for farmers the productivity of our irrigated land. The to talk to not only the innovators but the opportunity for industries to grow and leading manufacturers and delivery partners for markets into Asia to expand has been — including regionally focused organisations highlighted in recent years. This region needs and government departments — all under one to be a centre for excellence not only in roof at the Shepparton Showgrounds. irrigation but in the industries it supports, in It has grown to focus on technologies and particular, horticulture, agriculture and dairy. plans which are both energy efficient and I have recently visited several farms water efficient, to help irrigators combat everthat have benefited from the On-Farm increasing energy costs.

Efficiency Program and Modernisation I encourage anyone in the irrigation G-MW Connections project. I also visited industry along with anyone interested in a the Cosgrove Domestic and Stock Pipeline strong and sustainable future for this district Project with Water Minister Lisa Neville. to attend.

These sorts of projects are excellent examples I am looking forward to attending for the of government funded efficiency works and first time, to open the expo and meet as many are vital to ensure we optimise the economic, of you as possible. social and environmental outcomes for this — Suzanna Sheed, region.

State Member for Shepparton

Entry to the expo is free and gates will open from 10 am to 4 pm on May 20 and 21, at Shepparton Showgrounds, High St, Shepparton. Free parking and café-style catering are available on-site.

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Cluster works for region’s benefit The Water Technology Cluster brings together a diverse group of individuals and organisations intent on achieving a common goal — to improve the effective and efficient use of water within the irrigation industry.

Representatives from private business, local government, education, government agencies, authorities, research and development, industry groups and irrigators share knowledge and information to ensure the best use of the precious water resource.

Formed in 2008 the cluster mission — to provide a forum to share expertise to ensure the continued sustainably of the irrigation industry — is still as relevant today.

WTC chair Roger Wrigley has been involved since its inception and said the group’s major event, the WTC Irrigation and Energy Expo, showcases technologies and expertise as well as information about the various funding opportunities available for farmers to modernise their systems.

Mr Wrigley said the Goulburn Murray Water connections project and federal and state government

water efficiency programs were avenues irrigators could explore.

“Experience with the early rounds of the program confirmed the need to consider energy-use efficiency, as well as water-use efficiency in the selection of irrigation systems,” Mr Wrigley said.

“The expo is keen to promote technologies and plans which cover both.”

Mr Wrigley said the expo was designed to be a one-stop shop for farmers and irrigators.

“The expo will have agronomists and irrigation technicians, as well as surveyors and designers, available to discuss how irrigation farms can be adapted to meet the needs of the future. While the expo focuses on meeting the needs of irrigators, it will also cater for innovative and opportunistic farmers.”

“There is increasing investment

Roger Wrigley Irrigators look at industry technology at last year’s WTC Irrigation and Energy Expo. in rice and cotton growing in this region, as well as investment in the processing of these commodities. Horticultural and

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We looked into three leading brands of pivots and T-L was our pick. T-L are hydraulically driven and are very simple to operate. Our decision to choose T-L was not done on price alone. We found the people at Eagle i in Finley, mainly being Brad and Peter, very understanding of what we required as farmers. With Eagle i, we felt very comfortable with the decisions they were helping us to make in buying a T-L centre pivot.

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”

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‘WTC Irrigation & Energy Expo’, May 2015—Page 3

Evaluation of automated bay irrigation Automation of surface (bay) irrigation is a commercial reality with a number of farms in northern Victoria adopting it for whole or part of their irrigated area. Automation provides increased certainty in irrigation management.

However in the absence of appropriate decision support, most of the key decisions, such as the scheduling of irrigations, flow rate and irrigation duration, still rely on the skill of the irrigator.

During the past two years, irrigation season National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture was engaged to evaluate the irrigation application efficiency on nine farms equipped with the Rubicon FarmConnect automated bay irrigation system.

The trial involved one bay on

each farm and multiple irrigations.

Flow rate into the bay was inferred from measurements at the supply point to the farm.

Irrigation advance down the bay and flow depth were measured at three points down each bay.

Soil moisture was monitored continuously at a central point in each trial bay. All data were collected automatically and saved online.

The results demonstrated that application efficiencies in excess of 90 per cent are achievable through correct and precise management of the automated irrigation. Four of the farms evaluated in this study were operating at that level. On the remaining farms application average efficiencies were lower, ranging from 56 to 74 per cent.

For four of the farms the causes of the inefficiencies have been identified along with strategies that will raise their efficiency close to or above 90 per cent.

These efficiencies and the potential gains are entirely

consistent with the results of earlier evaluations of manually controlled irrigations. On the remaining farm soil limitations preclude improvements in efficiency on the trial bay.

A number of not entirely unexpected but important lessons were learned from the trial: 1. Excessively long irrigation durations were the principal reason for low efficiencies.

2. Soil moisture data was crucial for the optimal irrigation management of the fodder crops and pasture.

3. Pastures are deeper rooted and soils more permeable than local mythology presumes.

4. Irrigation intervals could have been extended with safety on many farms.

5. Waterlogging was a major issue with the irrigated pasture.

6. Less frequent irrigations and shorter durations would reduce the incidence of water logging and lead to greater pasture productivity.

Rod Smith is Professor of Irrigation Engineering at the National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba. His early career was spent in northern Victoria where he was responsible for the installation of the Shepparton region groundwater pumps and the Mildura/Merbein groundwater interception scheme.

Since joining USQ, his research has involved the evaluation and improvement of surface (furrow and bay) irrigation systems — one outcome of which was the acceptance of higher bay flow rates in the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District. Recently, he has been trialling a system for the ‘smart’ automation of furrow irrigation of cotton.

• Prof Smith will share his knowledge of surface irrigation and the outcome of the recent study during presentations at site 4 at the WTC Irrigation and Energy Expo.

Scott McDonald will share his knowledge at the WTC Expo about intensive dairy farms.

Intensive farming a hot topic The hot topic of intensive dairy farming will be the focus point of dairy expert Scott McDonald’s presentation at this year’s WTC Expo.

Mr McDonald said the subject was very topical and he would cover varying points such as the different types of systems and intensive dairy options including housed dairy.

“I’ll be offering advice on paring back applications and the various agencies that might be involved with reviewing those applications,” he said.

Information for farmers considering making a move to that area will also be covered.

“There are a lot of misquotes and misconceptions around

developments which are mostly negative,” Mr McDonald said.

He said the fear of the unknown contributed to these beliefs such as people’s uncertainty about what intensive dairy farming actually was, and assumptions about animal rights issues.

His talk will aim to clarify such points, and there will be copies of guidelines for Victorian dairy feedpads and free stalls on-hand, to provide guidance about processes involved and how to go about them.

Mr McDonald is employed

by Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, specialising in agricultural research and development as the program manager dairy development.

Mr McDonald will be at site 3 at the WTC Irrigation and Energy Expo.

New direction for sustainable irrigated agriculture Catchment management across the Shepparton irrigation region is undergoing a facelift.

The Sustainable Irrigation Program Advisory Group last year formed a taskforce and enlisted community assistance in a series of workshops to formulate a shared direction for the SIR to manage priority issues in an integrated way.

SIPAG guides the implementation of the SIR Land and Water Management Plan and comprises community and agency members representing the interests of the agricultural industry, geographical areas and the environment as well as the Goulburn Broken Catchment

Authority, the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Goulburn-Murray Water and local government.

Working together to deliver the plan on behalf of the catchment community, SIPAG focuses on programs that support sustainable agriculture, such as farm water and whole-farm planning, as well as those that manage threats to land and water including groundwater pumping to minimise salinity risks.

In the past year SIPAG members have been joined by additional community representatives from across the SIR to contribute to

Page 4—‘WTC Irrigation & Energy Expo’, May, 2015

the taskforce. Members looked at the existing plan and identified emerging issues and actions to make SIR a world-leader in the sustainable production of milk, fruit, vegetables and meat. The taskforce group has created a way forward for this sustainable production that also protects and enhances our natural resources.

The taskforce recognised the need to lobby for increasing funding for the continuation of drainage, whole-farm planning and revegetation programs across the SIR. The continued delivery of the Farm Water Program was identified as critical for the future

prosperity of the region. This program is one of many that highlight the SIR as a world leader in irrigated agriculture and catchment management.

International interest in the region’s advanced irrigation technologies is high, as demonstrated by the recent visit of academics from Indonesia, on a tour organised by Monash University and led by SIPAG member Roger Wrigley.

Also noted was the community’s need to place more emphasis on projects that support waste management, water and land stewardship and renewable energy use, as well as a new structure for

overseeing plan implementation that encourages new ideas and innovation and community leadership development.

The new implementation group will start operating from July and is seeking additional members from the community. The group is looking for more diversity in community membership, people from different areas and industries, representing a range of interest and action groups. The group wants to increase the number of community representatives from six to 12.

If you are interested in the region and its sustainable and productive future, phone Goulburn Broken CMA on 5820 1100.

‘WTC Irrigation & Energy Expo’, May 2015—Page 5

New system ticks all the boxes A new low energy pipeline system is proving a viable alternative for farmers involved in the Goulburn Murray Water Connections Program.

Byrneside grazier Ross Stammers is with the new pump component of the low-energy pipeline.

A commercial pilot project in late 2014, which connected four farms to the backbone channel at Byrneside, is now being rolled out across the region.

Retic Water, the civil construction arm of Rubicon Water, delivers irrigation infrastructure solutions and takes individual projects from the farmer consultation stage and design, through to construction and completion.

Retic Water general manager Matt Ryan said the LEP system had the ability to connect multiple farms to the backbone while meeting the important criteria of budget and time constraints, water savings and improving the level of service to farmers.

He said the LEP was a “smart” gravity-fed shared pipeline system that used 600 mm diameter Rubicon BladeMeter service points to distribute irrigation water.

Sophisticated computer software

automatically manages water orders to ensure they don’t exceed the capacity of the pipeline.

Mr Ryan said when an order was received the software used a hydraulic model of the pipeline to check its timing and flow rate against concurrent orders and pipeline capacity to ensure water was delivered at consistent flow rates.

This, in turn, enables farmers to irrigate more efficiently.

“LEPs are generally suitable for all applications. The option of supplementing gravity supply by pumping makes it a very flexible solution,” Mr Ryan said.

An LEP can be easily upgraded by the addition of a pump, which allows for future farming needs while avoiding the need for major farm reconfiguration in most cases.

Byrneside grazier Ross Stammers was one of the four farms connected and described the new system as “like a Rolls Royce”.

He said the LEP installation had changed the appearance of his whole property and had promised him water when he needed it most. Due to the lay of the land and natural gravity, the old channel system was disruptive and often

left his property — which is based at the top of the channel — without water.

See Retic Water at WTC Irrigation Expo at site 49.

Two BladeMeter outlets from a low energy pipeline.

&

57

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www.archards.com.au Page 6—‘WTC Irrigation & Energy Expo’, May, 2015

S TE

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Automating your irrigation is easy with WiSA

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- WiSA’s wireless solution means you have total High density polyethylene pipes supplied by ADS Pipe are laid at an irrigation project near Bendigo.

control from your mobile phone or computer.

- Improve water use efficiency and reduce labour cost.

ADS Pipe first-time exhibitor at expo ADS Pipe, an Australian owned and operated company is exhibiting at the WTC Irrigation and Energy Expo for the first time in 2015.

Regional manager Craig Ross, who lives at Lockington, said the company’s high density polyethylene irrigation pipes had been used extensively in civil and irrigation projects in Australia and the United States. He anticipated they would be an asset to irrigation modernisation projects in the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District.

Mr Ross said the dual wall pipes had a smooth interior liner and corrugated outer liner ensuring structural strength.

A bell and spigot joining system eliminates the need for on-site welding during the pipeline construction phase.

He said the pipes, which range in size from 100 mm to 1500 mm, have underpinned some major irrigation projects in the US. HDPE pipe is lightweight, durable and easy to work with and the pipeline only requires low cover so is well suited to a wide range of irrigation applications, both

on farm and at the connections level. The company also produces a wide range of pipe fittings.

Mr Ross said the experienced and qualified ADS Pipe team can assist in pipeline design, cost benefit analysis, product selection and installation advice.

“Our highly qualified team can provide expert advice and will ensure ADS Pipe products fulfil your irrigation needs and achieve the most cost-effective use of water and power,” Mr Ross said.

He said the company decided to exhibit at the WTC expo because the event attracted a target audience of farmers and irrigators, eager to learn more about the latest technology.

ADS Pipe will have a range of pipes at its stand at site 7.

“Our highly qualified team can provide expert advice and will ensure ADS Pipe products fulfil your irrigation needs and achieve the most cost-effective use of water and power.”

Craig Ross

- WiSA’s automated irrigation system will improve the sustainability of your farm.

- No ongoing monthly or yearly fees.

Servicing cost only if required

“Now I have complete control of my irrigation system and it can be easily assessed and controlled even when off the farm.”

Keith Holland, broad acre farmer Victoria

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Call us on: 1300 887 380 sales@irrigatewisa.com.au www.wisaglobal.com.au ‘WTC Irrigation & Energy Expo’, May 2015—Page 7

Connections Project winter works boost local economies

Farm planner Greg Hair, Neil Lett of Airly, senior irrigation adviser Gavan Lamb, Rod Cannon of Maffra and Brett Matthews of Nambrok were impressed with last year’s WTC Expo in Shepparton.

Shepparton expo spurs Gippsland event A group of east Gippsland farmers were so impressed when they visited the WTC Irrigation and Energy Expo in Shepparton last year they decided to host their own.

The Gippsland Irrigation Expo was held at the Sale showgrounds on March 18 and showcased the

latest in irrigation technology and energy efficiency.

Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources Maffra office senior irrigation adviser Gavan Lamb said more than 400 people attended the expo.

He said dairy farming was the main agricultural industry in the Macalister Irrigation District but vegetable growing was becoming more prominent.

“When our farmers visited the Shepparton expo last year they were amazed at the range of exhibitors all in the one place.

They really pushed to have an event in our area so more farmers could access the information,” Mr Lamb said.

He said feedback from the 34 exhibitors was overwhelmingly positive with many securing the opportunity to quote on individual farm projects.

Work to reduce water losses due to leaks and seepage will be carried out along more than 30 km of channels during the irrigation off-season from May 15 to August 15 as part of the G-MW Connections Project.

The Connections Project is delivering a program of works to modernise the northern Victorian irrigation network.

Much of the necessary channel automation, rehabilitation and rationalisation work can only be completed during winter when the channel network can be drained.

G-MW Connections project manager Ian Rodgers said this year’s $40 million-plus works program was a win for irrigators, the environment and the community.

“As well as ensuring Connections continues to meet its project milestones to save water and modernise the irrigation delivery network,

the winter program supports regional economies by generating work for local contractors and businesses,” Dr Rodgers said.

The Connections winter works program will also include automating more than 70 sites and installing pipelines at more than 30 locations across the region.

“In addition to supporting the region’s irrigators to use water more efficiently and increase productivity, modernisation of the system has supported innovation and investment by a number of northern Victorianbased irrigation manufacturers, with many of them now expanding into other states and overseas,” Dr Rodgers said.

The Connections works are part of G-MW’s broader winter works program.

Each year during the irrigation off-season, G-MW drains channels so it can carry out important works, such as weed control, channel maintenance, infrastructure repairs and replacement to ensure the efficient delivery of water to customers during the irrigation period.

Study confirms impressive FarmConnect results A University of Southern Queensland research project has shown that Rubicon Water’s FarmConnect customers are achieving high irrigation application efficiencies of up to 95 per cent.

In short, 95 per cent of the irrigation water applied was available for use by crops.

The objective of the research project was to demonstrate irrigation application efficiencies achievable with automated surface irrigation.

Nine FarmConnect customers participated in the study, which analysed more than 100 irrigation events in the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District during the 2014 season. Some of the study farms had automated high-flow BayDrive bay outlets, while others used pressurised pipe and riser systems with BladeValve outlets.

The farms represented a range of crop and soil types and application flow rates ranged from 10–25 Ml/ day. All farms in the study had a soil moisture probe installed to monitor moisture deficit.

Each customer had a Rubicon Smart Meter connected to their G-MW service point, which fed meter-flow rate information into

Page 8—‘WTC Irrigation & Energy Expo’, May, 2015

FarmConnect software, providing irrigators and researchers with the ability to precisely determining the volume of water applied to each bay.

The research found that most farms were achieving an average of 80 to 90 per cent application efficiency across all of their irrigations for the season.

Professor Rod Smith, who led the research, put the results down to the use of high-flow rates and the ability to precisely control irrigation duration through automation.

He also said that monitoring soil moisture was an important factor in achieving these high efficiencies.

Higher-performing irrigators

A FarmConnect high-flow BayDrive outlet. monitored the soil moisture deficit during the season and consistently irrigated when it reached the same point. This meant they could confidently maintain the same duration for each irrigation and be

sure that the soil profile was being optimally refilled.

For more information, see the Rubicon Water FarmConnect site at stand 50 at the WTC Irrigation and Energy Expo.

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‘WTC Irrigation & Energy Expo’, May 2015—Page 9

The ultimate in water delivery control Control of irrigation, fertigation, frost control and heat stress are just some of the benefits of having an accurate and reliable real-time system for plant, weather, environmental and soil moisture information.

WiSA’s Aqualink software, a fully programmable software system, can assist irrigators with a solution that performs all functions required to monitor and control irrigation and environmental sensors.

WiSA is an Echuca-owned company that has been a leader in irrigation control, monitoring and automation technologies for more than 17 years.

WiSA aims to deliver sustainable irrigation practices with financial benefits by using technology that is applicable to all farm types and irrigation methods, which is currently being used successfully around the world.

The company has developed solutions that assist in maintaining optimal soil conditions.

Aqualink software ensures the right amount of water and nutrients are applied at the right time to improve plant health, quality, yield and product appearance.

It is a simple, easy-to-use design that can be controlled from your computer, smart phone or tablet — either from the office, home or remotely from anywhere in the world.

Designed, made and owned by a company based in Echuca, the system can be used with flood, drip, sub-surface, pivot and micro spray irrigation.

The system has no ongoing running costs and is modular by design allowing irrigators to add to it over time or to integrate it with an existing irrigation infrastructure, which in most cases removes the need to change existing irrigation equipment.

For more information, see WiSA at sites 43 and 44.

WiSA’s irrigation solutions guarantee the right amount of water is applied at the right time.

Precast Concrete Products

Speciality: Water control structures.

Products: Bridge structures, culverts, retainer walls, and many water management products such as headwalls, bay outlets (aluminium or rubber flap), rice stops, bankless channels, pipe ends, pits (for recycle or pumps), regulators, flumes, channel checks, grain or fertilizer bunkers and drop boxes.

Features: Built for long life; a variety of reinforcing methods. Water products provide fast flow and related control.

Benefits: Delivery: to site, and directly onto final location wherever possible (save separate crane or forklift costs to customer). Crane for Hire.

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Page 10—‘WTC Irrigation & Energy Expo’, May, 2015

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WTC Irrigation Expo site map Emergency Evacuation point

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1. Goulburn Broken CMA 3. Department of Economic Development (DEDJTR), presenter Scott McDonald 4. Presentations booth, Professor Rod Smith 5. Main Entry — WTC Expo Admin 6. Waterpool co-op 7. ADS Pipe 8. Entry — Exit 9. UBC Web Design 12. W & P Pumps 13. Farm Tender 14. Yara Australia Pty Ltd 15. Crusader Hose Pty Ltd 18. Switchgear Direct 19. Kilter Rural

20. Greater Shepparton City Council, Moira Shire Council 21. Rivulis Irrigation 32. GNS Engineering 33. GNS Engineering 35. Richard Renato Service POLARIS 36. LINAK Australia 37. LINAK Australia 38. Rich River Irrigation 39. Rich River Irrigation 42. CAF Consulting 43. Wisa Irrigation 44. Wisa Irrigation 45. Rob Rye Irrigation 46. Irrigation Group Australia 47. Rob Rye Irrigation 48. Irrigation Group Australia

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Mini pivots > for small-scale dairy use Wrap-around spans > for pivoting around field obstructions Three-wheel flexible towers > to enable to walk over rice banks for duel irrigation.

GPS guided laterals and corner systems > no troublesome wires

Center Irrigation > Built on nearly 50 years of farming knowledge and 25 years of practical centre pivot experience.

The all-new Reinke pivoting lateral > the latest in advancements

Don’t get caught with an under-designed system — we are here to help.

CENTER IRRIGATION www.centerirrigation.com.au Ballarat Head Office and Service Centre Maryborough Road, Ascot Ph. 5343 4370 Ian 0438 809 517 Martin 0467 809 517

Deniliquin (Combined Ag) Pumps and Engine Sales and Service Wakool Road, Deniliquin Brian 5881 1355

Moama Sales and Service Centre 2 Marlin Court, Moama Ian 0438 809 517 John 0437 773 3196

‘WTC Irrigation & Energy Expo’, May 2015—Page 11

Designing irrigation for all shapes and sizes Rich River Irrigation Developments is a multidisciplinary company which works with all facets of the irrigation and farming sector.

Established in 1980, RRID is actively involved in survey, design and management of irrigation projects, land surveying, environmental engineering and natural resource management.

The firm was also a founding member of the Irrigation Surveyors and Designers Group and is an active member of the Irrigation Association of Australia, Institution of Surveyors and the Spatial Sciences Institute.

In 2007, RRID introduced a new dimension to the business with the addition of a dealership with Bauer, a worldleading irrigation equipment manufacturing company.

RRID projects vary from small family farm concerns up to some of Australia’s largest irrigation and agriculture companies.

Designing a layout that best meets client’s management objectives for their property is a key element, and RRID has

completed projects for water storages ranging from 1 Ml to 10 000 Ml, and survey and designs for properties ranging from 5 ha to 100 000 ha.

Owner Peter McCartney said spray irrigation would be a focus of RRID’s site at this year’s WTC expo.

He said advantages of such equipment, including pivot and lateral systems, were high irrigation efficiency and improved crop yield — while saving water and labour.

With more than 70 years of collaborative experience, RRID has in-depth knowledge of the industry and works closely with all stakeholders from initial inception through to project completion.

For more information, visit RRID at the WTC expo site 38 and 39, phone 5482 2564 or visit www.rrid.com.au

A Centerliner CLE Select Pro installed by Rich River Irrigation.

“Spray irrigation would be a focus of RRID’s site at this year’s WTC expo.”

Peter McCartney

Improve water efficiency on farm...

With more than 16 years’ experience in Polyethylene pipeline construction, W & P Pumps are your local experienced choice for all irrigation projects. W & P can design, supply, service and install complete irrigation systems in your choice of delivery technique.

Some of the services offered by W & P Pumps • Project management • Pipe and riser systems • Hard Hose irrigators • Pipeline construction • Lateral and centre pivot irrigators • Full service and support with engineers and mechanics • Poly fabrication • Irrigation outlets • Automation • Pontoons and River Pumps • Subsurface and drip Whether it be a small bore pump or a complete turn-key pipe and riser solution, W & P Pumps are your answer for all your irrigation needs. Come and talk to our friendly staff about your next project.

Ph: (03) 5853 2653 | Wayne Surplice Mob: 0417 014 835 68 McEwen Rd, Kyabram | accounts@wppumps.com

Page 12—‘WTC Irrigation & Energy Expo’, May, 2015

See us at sites 72–73

THE FIRST CHOICE BRAND FOR DIESEL POWERED PRODUCTS

On any given day, more Isuzu diesel engines* go to work in Australia than any other diesel engine.

That’s because Isuzu diesels apply leading-edge technology to provide more powerful, fuel efficient and reliable engines.

Producing more than a million engines a year, Isuzu is now one of the world’s largest manufacturers of diesel engines with around 10% of the global market.

THE POWER TO DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

Isuzu is unique amongst diesel manufactures in having an integrated network of R&D, manufacturing, sales and support facilities to provide localised products, support and service in over 100 markets.

All manufacturing and R&D facilities are interlinked, making Isuzu the only truly global producer of diesel engines.

With over 50 models available in fixed and variable speed configurations, including a variety of PTO and SAE combinations to satisfy your requirements, rest assured, there’s an Isuzu diesel for any job.

*Includes Truck, LCV and industrial diesels.

COME AND SPEAK TO OUR EXPERT TEAM AT SITES 67–70

TAIG BROS

CAN’T MAKE IT TO THE EXPO? ROD BEST Isuzu Engine Sales Manager JOHN TAIG TAIG BROS Shepparton

0408 992 205 0418 577 046 ‘WTC Irrigation & Energy Expo’, May 2015—Page 13

Pumps to suit all applications W&P Pumps in Kyabram specialises in Chinese pumps and Agmac automation for irrigation and will exhibit a number of its products at the irrigation expo.

On display will be the business’ electric pump sets, centrifugal pumps, self-priming pumps and diesel engines for irrigation solutions.

“We are very excited to be a part of the irrigation expo and very excited to hear the responses from the farmers about the advances in technology and water efficiency in the water industry,” W&P Pumps owner Wayne Surplice said.

The diesel engines on display will be Japan’s number one diesel engine brand, Yanmar, plus iconic British brand Lister Petter and Chinese brand Yangdong.

Mr Surplice said while stocking the best diesel engines and pumps was important, being able to repair the machinery was just as vital.

“With all of our engines we carry parts so that we can repair them.

That way the customer doesn’t have to wait for a part to be ordered,” he said.

“We have customers from NSW who can come and have lunch and then they can carry on their way — it’s a fast turnaround.”

W&P Pumps has found a common issue for farmers is chasing the best solution for their irrigation needs.

“A lot of people do it to a price but W&P Pumps will go the extra mile to get the project to the farmer’s requirement,” Mr Surplice said.

“What we do is tailor-make each pump to the individual set-up so each pump doesn’t just come out of the box.”

All W&P Pumps are fully tested for quality before they are sent out, and the business will service all equipment, 24 hours a day, within a 200 km radius of Kyabram.

For more information, visit W&P Pumps at site 72 at the WTC Expo or phone 5853 2653.

A 25.4 cm (10 inch) electric 22 kW pump set by W&P Pumps.

“A lot of people do it to a price but W&P Pumps will go the extra mile to get the project to the farmer’s requirement.”

Wayne Surplice

Precision Farming Solutions

Come and see CAF’s UAV and discuss how you can squeeze maximum yields by targeting inputs to your crop via GPS technology... this is precision farming at its best

MULTI-DISCIPLINED SERVICES: • Water Infrastructure and Agribusiness Projects • Rural and Urban Development and Licensed Surveying • Civil Engineering and Project Management • Transport, Resources, Energy and Building

IRRIGATION SERVICES

• Farm Development Plans for Irrigation, Horticulture and Viticulture • Surface and Sub Surface Drainage Design • Water Supply Storage Dams • Rural Drainage Schemes • Levee Bank Designs • Wastewater Reuse Systems

ONLINE e: info@cafconsulting.com.au w: www.cafconsulting.com.au

Page 14—‘WTC Irrigation & Energy Expo’, May, 2015

S

DENILIQUIN 137 End Street Deniliquin, NSW p: 03 5881 3374 f: 03 5881 3353

42 ITE

SHEPPARTON 38 Wyndham Street Shepparton, VIC p: 03 5831 3347 f: 03 5831 3343

CAF Consulting offers complete service CAF Consulting specialises in providing cost-effective and sustainable solutions for farmers modernising their irrigation systems and farm layouts.

Director Leigh Findlay said the team of skilled professionals had extensive experience in numerous fields including water infrastructure, agribusiness, rural and urban development, civil engineering, transport, resources, energy and building.

He said each division within CAF Consulting was integrated, offering clients continuity from the survey and design stage through to project management in the construction phase.

The business, which employs 18 staff and has offices in two states, has a strong agricultural focus.

Mr Findlay said CAF Consulting was a regular exhibitor at the WTC

Irrigation and Energy Expo and fielded inquiries from property owners keen to further develop and improve the long-term sustainability of their farms.

Fellow CAF Consulting director Tony Flammea said the firm’s survey and design capabilities, including the use of the latest drone technology, were valuable resources for farmers.

He said in previous years visitors to the CAF Consulting stand were interested in learning about the different irrigation options available to them such as lateral movers or automated flood irrigation.

See the CAF Consulting staff at site 42.

Cost effective and sustainable irrigation solutions are the specialty of CAF Consulting staff.

AT 39 S U & E 38 SE ES T SI

Linestar

Rainstar Traveller

Center Liner 5000

Save water – save the environment – save money Rich River Irrigation Developments staff will be on hand at the WTC expo to discuss all of your farm plan requirements. See us at sites 38 and 39.

Come and speak to our experts for advice on: • Whole Farm Planning

• Agent for Observant Automation Solutions

• Water Storage Design

• Sales and Servicing of Bauer Machinery

• Cadastral Surveys, Sub Division and Development Planning

• Agents for all Leading Brands of Pumps

• GPS Mapping

• Project Supervision

• Sales of PVC and PE pipe and fittings

We proudly distribute and maintain Bauer Irrigation Technology products. Our Service Technician can carry out all of your servicing and maintenance requirements.

Rich River Irrigation Developments | PH: (03) 5482 2564 | UNIT 1/164 Ogilvie Avenue, Echuca | www.rrid.com.au ‘WTC Irrigation & Energy Expo’, May 2015—Page 15

Systems designed to suit irrigators’ needs Since 2006 Bendigobased Kilter Rural Water Solutions has been providing new opportunities for southern Murray-Darling Basin irrigators to secure their water requirements.

Kilter Rural has developed a range of innovative water solutions that provide flexibility for irrigators in the way they access entitlements and manage allocation

water between and within irrigation seasons.

With more than 220 Gl in water solutions delivered to irrigators since 2006, Kilter Rural has a strong reputation for developing water solutions to service irrigators’ needs.

Examples of water solutions for irrigators include: Entitlement purchase and lease back — irrigators looking to access the capital value of their water entitlements have entered into sale and lease-back arrangements, with more than 67 Gl of transactions completed since 2008.

Benefits of leasing include no capital outlay while retaining the same management freedom as if the entitlement was owned.

An option to lock in a fixed re-purchase price at the end of the lease period is possible.

Forward purchasing of water allocation — enables irrigators to lock-in the volume and price of their water allocation requirements with payments made at the time of delivery throughout the irrigation season.

Payment may also be deferred to the time of harvest by the provision of security such as a crop lien.

Share-farm solutions — permits irrigators to access water allocations for their cropping requirements in exchange for a fixed percentage of crop revenue.

Water carryover solutions — by carrying over water between seasons, growers can purchase and store allocation water in advance to manage availability and price risk.

Kilter Rural directly operates a 14 Gl irrigated cropping program and utilises this experience to develop solutions tailored to the needs of irrigation water users.

In particular the business

understands that profitable agriculture is about pursuing the lowest cost of production while effectively managing uncertainty.

This understanding has been at the forefront of the design of water solutions offered by Kilter Rural.

Kilter Rural has representatives in Mildura, Robinvale, Swan Hill, Griffith, Leeton, Wagga Wagga, Kyabram, Rochester, Tatura and Melbourne.

For more information, visit Kilter Rural Water Solutions at site 19 at the WTC Expo or phone 0417 102 561.

Kilter Rural has a range of irrigation solutions for optimal water delivery.

Relying on a ‘Mait’ improves irrigation The installation of a sophisticated monitoring and control system for a flood irrigation operation on a northern Victorian dairy farm has given the owners peace of mind and more time.

Stephen and Lisa Cox milk 700 cows on 170 ha at Yalca, near Numurkah and overhauled their existing gravity-fed arrangement to install a comprehensive pipe and riser system.

Mait Industries’ radio-controlled ‘iNTELLiTROL’ electronics and software system is used to run the 91 risers installed on the farm.

The risers are fully automated, individually programmed to supply water to individual bays. There is one solar panel to provide power for every three risers.

Based in Melbourne, Mait Industries provides innovative monitoring and irrigation

control solutions for all facets

increased pasture growth.

Yalca dairy farmers

Stephen and Lisa Cox overhauled their outdated irrigation system with the assistance of Mait Industries.

of agriculture. With extensive agronomic and engineering expertise, the practical and technical issues of farming are at the forefront of the design of systems.

On the Cox farm improved flow rates has shortened irrigation times, dealt with water logging issues and

Page 16—‘WTC Irrigation & Energy Expo’, May, 2015

Lisa Cox runs the system from the computer in the home office and has a ‘team viewer’ set up on her tablet to check the status of the operation and make changes if required.

See Mait Industries at the Archards Irrigation and G&M Poly sites, 54 and 56 to 59.

Industry experience with Archards Archards Irrigation’s 30-plus years of service and company founder Stan Archard’s reputation as a pioneer in the flood irrigation and pressurised pipe and riser system industry have contributed to the business being considered a market leader.

Boasting a combined management expertise of more than 100 years in the Australian market, Archards has been further strengthened by the affiliation with new owners Ruralco and nationally recognised partners and joint ventures within the Ruralco family.

Archards Irrigation is managed by a group of engineers and market professionals, has offices across Victoria and NSW and specialises in design, supply and construction of an extensive range of irrigation services and products.

Services include: • Archards’ pipe and riser system; • Fabrication- poly, steel, aluminium, stainless steel; • Survey and design — wholefarm plans and features; • Centre pivots; • Water trading; • Floating pumps and pontoons; • Custom designed irrigation outlets and structures; • Automated irrigation; • Stock and domestic systems: design, pipelines, tanks, troughs and fittings; and • Consultancy: approvals and submissions.

The experienced design and projects team can deliver a complete turn-key package, from statutory funding application and concept design through to construction, commissioning and on-going maintenance and service.

See Archards at sites 56 and 57.

Forecasting bright future with new leader

MILCast, a business unit of Murray Irrigation Limited based in Finley, has appointed Peter De Vreede as business manager.

Mr De Vreede has more than 15 years’ experience in both the premixed and precast concrete industries and is looking forward to leading the MILCast team.

“I joined MILCast in December last year and have had the opportunity to work with a great

team, take stock of the operation and work towards building on the excellent foundation of the business,” Mr De Vreede said.

“MILCast is currently seeing excellent production growth and to meet this demand we are reconfiguring our yard’s

work area, have completed the construction of a large new shed and streamlined our production line, which aims to deliver a more efficient service to our customers.

“I hope to bring valuable experience from my previous production and plant manager roles to MILCast, and develop good customer relationships into the future.”

Point. Click. Grow.

MILCast design, manufacture and supply precast concrete products for agricultural and other commercial uses, including headwalls, culvert ends, culverts, bay outlets (aluminium door or rubber flap), rice stops, bankless channels, rice flumes, pipe ends, pits (for recycle and pumps), regulators, flumes, channel checks, grain/fertiliser bunker wall slabs and drop boxes.

MILCast’s pit products are one-piece pours, with no construction joints, and come in a range of standard sizes.

To request a product catalogue or to discuss your product needs phone the MILCast team on 5888 3051 or visit www. murrayirrigation.com.au and select MILCast or visit the MILCast site at 79.

Surface irrigation automation from the experts.

FarmConnect® is the complete automation solution that lets you manage your irrigation online.

Featuring Rubicon’s rugged hardware, FarmConnect gives you the precise control needed for high-flow irrigation, including BayDrive™ actuation for bay outlets and BladeValve™ pipe and riser valves that seal tight under high pressure, every time. So you can grow higher value crops with less effort. And because it’s from Rubicon you can rest assured we’ll be here to support your investment now and into the future.

Call 03 5820 8800 or visit www.rubiconwater.com/farmconnect See us at WTC expo site 50

Crop Monitoring Crop Monitoring

BayDrive™ BayDrive™

BladeValve™ BladeValve™

Software Software

Smart Meter Smart Meter

‘WTC Irrigation & Energy Expo’, May 2015—Page 17

An eye for top quality Since its establishment in 2010, Eagle i Machinery has become a leader in cutting-edge farming equipment and irrigation technology.

The Finley business, founded by cropping farmer Ian Brunt and his son Peter, has gone from strength to strength, and last year accepted an invitation to become a dealer of United States-manufactured T-L Irrigator Systems.

Ian was the first person to import a T-L irrigator to Australia in 1985, and after 100 000 hours of irrigating, it’s fair to say he is an expert when it comes to the T-L Irrigator Systems’ range of lateral and centre-pivot machines.

Having tried and tested a

range of different methods, Ian is confident he knows what works.

The introduction of the T-L Irrigator range to the NSW business meant a rapid expansion, including a purposebuilt warehouse, and this year Eagle i Machinery has provided T-L systems to clients from Swan Hill to Holbrook.

This system will be the feature of the company’s exhibit at this year’s WTC expo.

Eagle i Machinery prioritises ease of management and maintenance, and is also an agent for Kwik Kleen Grain Cleaners and the new S3 Super Grouper product handler.

The business will provide information on the new Kwik Till at the WTC expo.

For more information, visit Eagle i Machinery at expo site 61, phone 1300 463 245 or, go to www.eaglei.com.au

Finley based business Eagle i Machinery is a leader in on-farm equipment.

Increase water efficiency.

Save time, money and effort.

MAIT Industries designs fully automated, individually programmed monitoring and irrigation control solutions for dairying.

Our innovative electronics and software systems can help you improve water management practices, saving you time and money and a substantial amount of effort in operating your irrigation.

The operating signals in our automated systems can be handled through radio, cable or the internet, which means that you don’t have to rely on inconsistent mobile phone networks.

To find out how ‘iNTELLiTROL’ irrigation solutions can increase your water use efficiency, contact Mait Industries on 1300 739 920 or call Dean Taylor on 0428 994 716

www.mait.com.au

Page 18—‘WTC Irrigation & Energy Expo’, May, 2015

Picture: Brad Udy

Isuzu setting the bar Producing more than a million engines a year, Isuzu is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of diesel engines, with about 10 per cent of the global market.

Through the application of cutting-edge technology, it is able to provide more powerful, fuel efficient and reliable diesel engines and investment in new technologies will further improve environmental advantages, as Isuzu is committed to producing clean engines that reduce and in some cases eliminate various greenhouse gases.

Isuzu’s industrial engine range for Australia spans 50 models, starting with a C Series two-cylinder engine developing 10 kW up to the impressive six-cylinder common rail 16.0 litre 6WG1 that develops 397 kW. The engines are available in fixed and variable speed configurations and include a variety of PTO and SAE combinations to satisfy your requirements.

With diesel engine technology changing rapidly in order to satisfy global emission standards, the importance of specifying and engineering the correct solution for engine installation has never been more important.

Isuzu can offer complete engineering solutions for your desired application by utilising the very latest 3D CAD software and engine performance diagnostic equipment.

Isuzu Diesel Gen-sets offer a range of electrical power solutions starting from

6kVA output and up. Options are available to suit your requirements including fuel tank base, customised single or three phase distribution boards, emergency stop kits and sound attenuation.

Combine your Isuzu Diesel with genuine Isuzu engine accessories to create an off-the-shelf turnkey power drive unit ready to go to work. Isuzu offers a variety of kit-form accessories for each engine model including cooling packages, air cleaner units, exhaust systems, engine mount skids, engine wiring looms and control panels.

With approximately 16 000 Isuzu industrial engines starting work each day in Australia, the need for replacement options for older engines is essential. Isuzu’s Long Block Engines incorporate 20 models covering more than 200 variants and are designed to give owners of older units a quick and dependable option for engine replacement.

From the gas fields of Queensland to the wheat belt of Western Australia, Isuzu Diesels are powering several of the country’s leading diesel-powered brands and is the obvious choice with its market leading dealer network and class leading industrial engines.

For more information on Isuzu, see Taig Bros at the WTC Irrigation and Energy Expo site 67 to 70, phone 5821 9811 or, go to www.taigbros.com.au

Rob Rye Irrigation upgrade With a quarter of a century’s experience in northern Victoria’s water supply industry, Rob Rye Irrigation continues to go from strength to strength.

The company, which is part of one of Australia’s largest water management specialists, Total Eden Group, installed its first irrigation upgrade with portable automated units at Leslie Farms in Arcadia early last year.

The automated system and portable solar-powered black boxes replaced open channels, existing pipes and risers and a section of the farm’s channel, upgrading 80 ha of mixed farmer Keith Leslie’s 320 ha irrigation.

Mr Leslie said the best thing about the system was that you can program it so it’s all automatic, or go around and decide when it needs changing and then press

a button, or manually do it on a mobile phone.

Although it took a bit of getting used to at the start, after years of going out to check on the water, he said the system was “bloody marvellous”.

Rob Rye Irrigation regional manager Andrew Chittick said this irrigation upgrade was the first one they had done on a roving system where they could move the boxes.

Mr Chittick said the units had to go through more software development for the platform to be portable and the upgrade included cell automation of a section of the farm channel.

He said the upgrade ultimately meant a decrease in the amount of open channel on the property, which decreased leakage and evaporation, and saved on water and time for Mr Leslie, as he doesn’t have to worry about changing the bays when irrigating, as it is automated.

As of last year, Rob Rye Irrigation became a Ruralco Holdings Limited Company, allowing the business to provide finance and general insurance.

Mr Chittick, who is expo’s treasurer, said the event was an opportunity for farmers to see a full range of dedicated service providers.

“It’s a chance to see specialists in the industry and to catch a glimpse of what (innovations are available),” he said.

For more information, visit Rob Rye Irrigation at WTC expo sites 45 and 47, phone 5822 2600, or go to www.totaleden.com.au/ specialty/rob-rye-irrigation

Arcadia farmer Keith Leslie, and Rob Rye Irrigation regional manager Andrew Chittick are pleased with the success of the irrigation upgrade on Mr Leslie’s Arcadia property.

The speedy solution for effluent spreading 4”, 5” & 6” Layflat 4” Layflat and Drag hose for irrigation and effluent effluent spreading

Layflat hose and Drag hose reelers The “SLURRYQUIP” range of effluent spreading systems use drag hose and dribble bars or splash plate spreaders.

The “SLURRYQUIP” system is manufactured in Wangaratta Victoria and is New Zealand’s number one selling drag hose effluent spreader capable of up to 280 000 litres/hour. That’s 19 loads an hour with a 15 000 litre tanker.

It is an ideal solution for Australian farmers, you don’t need settling ponds, expensive separators or excavators. You simply mix, pump and spread.

Dribble bars are very common as they produce virtually no drift; smells are less of an issue and less nitrogen is lost to the atmosphere, grazing can take place two or three days after spreading.

GNS Engineering

See GNS Engineering at site 32 for more information

Pty Ltd

Contact: garth@gnsengineering.com.au Mobile 0408 512 857 13 Christensen Lane, Wangaratta, Victoria

Compact, easy-to-transport design

For more information visit slurryquip.com ‘WTC Irrigation & Energy Expo’, May 2015—Page 19

Point. Click. Grow. e WTC onnect® at th -one Visit FarmC -i ll n e the new a se d n a o p ncrete x E h include co d ic h w , ts e tl u ap an bay o nt, rubber fl emplaceme TM actuation.

BayDrive

+ Soil Moisture Monitoring

+ BayDrive™

+ BladeValve™

Surface irrigation automation from the experts.

FarmConnect® is the complete automation solution that lets you manage your irrigation online. Featuring Rubicon’s rugged hardware, FarmConnect gives you the precise control needed for high-flow irrigation, including BayDrive™ actuation for bay outlets and BladeValve™ pipe and riser valves that seal tight under high pressure, every time.

So you can grow higher value crops with less effort. And because it’s from Rubicon you can rest assured we’ll be here to support your investment now and into the future.

Call 03 5820 8800 or visit www.rubiconwater.com/farmconnect

See us at WTC expo site 50 Page 20—‘WTC Irrigation & Energy Expo’, May, 2015

+ Software

Smart Meter