Penny and Gary Robinson have found that farmers using their subsurface drip irrigation system are saving on water and labour costs while growing more grass on their farms.

Gary and Penny Robinson have received positive feedback on water use efficiency and increased grass growth from Maniototo sharemilker, Luke Jeffries, after installing a Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) system on the Central Otago farm.

Gary and Penny are involved in a Next Generation Farming project designed to help farmers meet tough nitrate caps while maintaining their viability. As part of this project, the couple are using innovation to demonstrate productivity and environmental benefits to their neighbours in the region and beyond.

Waimakariri Landcare Trust (WLT) and Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL) have partnered with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for the project, with support from MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund along with Environment Canterbury, Ballance, and DairyNZ.

Gary says the SDI trial on a 15-hectare block of the Maniototo Dairy Partnership farm which Luke sharemilks has highlighted the benefits of the system during a sweltering Otago summer.

“Luke has seen a huge response with the SDI, and we will be able to gather data from this block as it has a sprinkler irrigation system in the next paddock. I think the data that comes out of this will be positive.”

For Luke, irrigation is essential for his sharemilking operation as he relies on it to grow the grass to feed 1000 dairy cows.

“We are 400 metres above sea level, and only get about 450 millimetres of rain per year. Temperatures can reach up to 35C in summer, so our evaporation levels are through the roof. With SDI the water is going straight to the root zone which means we’re not losing water to evaporation.”

Luke says while he hasn’t got dry matter samples to confirm his findings yet, he estimates water usage savings of 40 percent through the SDI system and increased grass growth rates of 10 to 20 percent.

“There’s more grass growth in the paddock with the SDI installed. Along with the water savings, we are also saving on labour and maintenance. The system is fully automated, so we don’t need anyone move it and the maintenance costs are minimal when compared to a pivot which has more wear and tear.”

Based on results to date, Luke says the farm’s owners are considering installing more subsurface drip irrigation in other parts of the farm which are not suitable for traditional irrigation to improve efficiency.

“SDI is all about efficiency and farmers are being driven to efficient use of resources. This is a way to reduce water use while still achieving good grass growth rates.”

Improved public awareness about SDI is one of the key changes Penny has noticed over the past two years.

“At the start of the project, most people didn’t know much about subsurface drip irrigation, but I think with the increased emphasis on efficient use of resources, people are more aware of the benefits of the system, not just for farming but also for recreational areas and for recycling wastewater in residential subdivisions.

“It’s now accepted as a viable option and as we continue to focus on using resources more efficiently, I think more people will consider SDI as a sustainable choice for the future.”

Fernside dairy farmer Julie Bradshaw has been empowered to make decisions on which cows to focus on by using genomic data.

Over the past two years, Fernside farmer Julie Bradshaw has refined her dairy herd size through the use of genomics while maintaining the same level of milk production.

Julie has been participating in a Next Generation Farming project designed to help farmers meet tough nitrate caps while maintaining their viability. As part of this project, farmers like Julie are using innovation to demonstrate productivity and environmental benefits to their neighbours in the region and beyond.

Waimakariri Landcare Trust (WLT) and Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL) have partnered with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for the project, with support from MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund along with Environment Canterbury, Ballance, and DairyNZ.

The biggest change Julie has made on her farm over the last two years is closely examining her herd selection process using genomic data.

Julie has already reduced her herd size by 15 cows and is planning to remove 10 of last year’s calves based on genomic data she has received from Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC). She credits the reliability of the information with helping her to make these science-based decisions.

“The advances in the data we are getting now, and the reliability of that data means that we can be certain about which animals to keep.

“There is no point paying for grazing for animals for three or four years that that don’t end up being productive dairy cows.

“With the reductions I have made I have still retained the same level of milk production, so I know I have made the right decision.”

In the past, Julie would have retained cows with low BW (Breeding Worth) but with the possibility of reductions in the numbers of cows on farms in the future, she wants to ensure that her herd is performing at its best.

“When you look at what is happening overseas you can see that farmers have already reduced their herd numbers and it is only a matter of time before it happens here.

“It is challenging but you need to look at your entire farming operation and see what you can do to farm more efficiently. With all the science and data that we can access now it makes sense to use all the tools you have in your toolbox.”

Julie says she believes genomics and scientific innovation will play an increasingly significant role in New Zealand farming in the future.

“When I look at the data I am getting now compared to a few years ago it is amazing. I think the data will continue to improve as more herds get involved and this will be a huge benefit to everyone involved in the farming industry.”

Julie has shared her learnings from the innovation project with local farmers and she says most of them are keen to know more about her journey and can see the benefits of using science to improve their farms.

“Farmers are supportive and willing to share what they have learned. If you are a farmer who is open to innovation and new ideas, I believe you will be able to continue to farm into the future and have a successful farming business.

Farm viability improved through precision agriculture

Cust farmer Roscoe Taggart with his maize for grain crop which he is trialling for the first time this season.

Reduced input costs and nitrogen fertiliser use, along with improved environmental outcomes are key benefits realised by Roscoe Taggart over the last two years on his family’s 730 hectare arable and sheep farm in Cust.

Roscoe has achieved greater efficiency through precision agriculture and the use of a new Yara N sensor during a Next Generation Farming project designed to help farmers meet tough nitrate caps while maintaining their viability. As part of this project, farmers like Roscoe are using innovation to demonstrate productivity and environmental benefits to their neighbours in the region and beyond.

Waimakariri Landcare Trust (WLT) and Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL) have partnered with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for the project, with support from MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund along with Environment Canterbury, Ballance, and DairyNZ.

As the harvest season draws to a close, Roscoe says this harvest has been a mixed bag due to wet weather conditions, however his new maize for seed and evening primrose crops have provided positive results.

“At the beginning of harvest, we had really good results. Unfortunately, then the tap just turned on and we had huge amounts of rain coming through at the wrong time which cost quite a bit in terms of yield for the later crops.

“We have just harvested our evening primrose and it’s been surprising to see how well it has done, especially for a paddock that was pretty wet early on. We’ve exceeded our target for the seed yield off it.”

Roscoe tried maize for grain for the first time this year and he is pleased with how the crop went and will plant it again next season as it works well in his crop rotation and returns potassium to the soil.

“It’s a crop with nice deep roots so it breaks up the soil nicely and while it does require a bit of fert up front you end up returning a lot of K to the soil instead of removing it which is what happens if you grow it for sileage instead of for grain.

“It also works well because we harvest it in early June, so it extends the season out further which means we are harvesting from November through to June.”

For Roscoe, one of the most important precision agriculture tools is his Yara N sensor which has allowed him to reduce his use of nitrogen fertiliser by approximately 80 kilograms this season.

“We have saved around three units of N per tonne of grain so on a twelve-tonne paddock you are saving 36 units of N per hectare which gives us an overall saving of 80 kilograms of urea for the season.

“It’s been a game changer for us, especially using the N sensor in absolute mode, where the N sensor decides how much fertiliser to apply. We’ll keep using it in absolute mode because it is minimising our N use which is important not just in terms of cost savings but also environmental impact.”

To further reduce his use of nitrogen fertiliser, Roscoe is learning about mineralisable N in the soil which is released from organic matter throughout the season.

“The soil itself can supply a good amount of mineralisable N and we just need to work out when the N in the soil will be available for the plant to use and we believe this will reduce our use of N fertiliser even further.”

One thing that has surprised Roscoe over the last two years during the N sensor trial is the amount of variability he has throughout his farm.

“There’s more variation in our relatively flat, uniform farm that I ever could have imagined and looking at the maps that come out of the N sensor there’s no consistency in paddocks that before using the sensor I would have thought of as very consistent.”

Roscoe sees precision agriculture as critical in ensuring the future viability of farming in New Zealand.

“Precision ag makes your farm more efficient and there are some real social, environmental, and economic benefits that you don’t realise until you get into this.

“I never thought too much about future generations until I had kids of my own and you want them to have the opportunity to farm where you farm. That’s when you start looking around the place and think about how to make farming sustainable for the next generation.

“If I can leave this land in as good as or a better condition than I found it then I will be happy with what I have achieved.”

Caption: Gary and Penny Robinson of Robinson Subsurface Drip Irrigation at Linwood Park in Christchurch where their underground irrigation system is being installed.

Cust dairy farmers Gary and Penny Robinson have advanced their Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) trial with positive feedback from farmers following field days at trial blocks in North Canterbury and Central Otago. The system is also being installed at Linwood Park in Christchurch.

Gary and Penny are participating in Next Generation Farming; a project that aims to help farmers meet tough nitrate caps while maintaining their viability. As part of this project, farmers like the Robinsons are using innovation and demonstrating its productivity and environmental benefits to their neighbours in the region and beyond.

Waimakariri Landcare Trust (WLT) and Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL) have partnered with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for the project, with support from MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund along with Environment Canterbury, Ballance, and DairyNZ.

SDI’s low-pressure system saves water and power and improves crop yields by eliminating surface water evaporation and reducing the incidence of weeds and disease. Water is applied directly to the root zone of the crop and not to the soil surface.

Gary and Penny recently held two field days at trial blocks in Cust, North Canterbury and in Maniototo, Central Otago which were well received by farmers and industry partners.

Despite heavy rain during the Cust field day, Penny says farmers were keen to learn about subsurface irrigation and seeing the system in the ground and being able to ask practical questions built a stronger understanding of how the system works.

“The weather definitely wasn’t in our favour, but we still had a good turnout, and everyone was very engaged and interested. From the questions asked and discussion we had, SDI does seem to be accepted as a viable solution and option for irrigation in New Zealand.”

Over 50 farmers turned out for the Maniototo field day where the difference between the 18-hectare test block using subsurface irrigation and the adjacent block using traditional irrigation was evident, says Gary.

“It was a stinking hot day, and it was perfect because they have had a hot and dry summer down there so you could really see the difference with lush green grass growing on the block where we have installed the SDI.

“The farmer, Luke Jeffries, is really impressed with the system and after the field day we had quite a few local farmers approach us to learn more.”

Gary and Penny are now focused on gathering data to prove the benefits of the subsurface drip irrigation system and have some interesting projects in the pipeline.

“We’ve had lots of interest from farmers, and we are also in discussions about using the SDI system for wastewater. We feel like we are on a roll now in terms of public awareness of how the system works and the benefits it provides.”

Meanwhile, working on the installation of their first SDI system for a recreational area has been an exciting opportunity for Gary and Penny. Christchurch City Council is remediating Linwood Park following its use as a site for temporary housing after the Canterbury earthquakes. Penny says the environmental and practical benefits make SDI an ideal option for the Council because it saves power and uses less water.

Gary and Penny will now focus on gathering and analysing data from their Maniototo test block, while also exploring opportunities for the SDI system to be used for wastewater, and meeting with farmers to discuss installing the underground irrigation system on their farms.

The Yara N-sensor fitted to the roof of Roscoe’s tractor allows him to apply the precise amount of nitrogen required for his crops which has resulted in significant savings on fertiliser costs while also reducing his environmental impact.

Cust farmer Roscoe Taggart has reduced his use of nitrogen fertiliser by approximately 80 kilograms this season through trialling a Yara N sensor on his family’s 730 hectare arable and sheep farm over the past two years.

Roscoe is participating in Next Generation Farming; a project to help farmers meet tough nitrate caps while maintaining their viability. As part of this project, farmers like Roscoe are using innovation and demonstrating its productivity and environmental benefits to their neighbours in the region and beyond.

Waimakariri Landcare Trust (WLT) and Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL) have partnered with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for the project, with support from MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund along with Environment Canterbury, Ballance, and DairyNZ.

The significant savings on fertiliser, the ease of use of the N sensor, and the environmental benefits make the N sensor a tool that Roscoe sees himself using well into the future.

“We have saved around three units of N per tonne of grain so on a twelve-tonne paddock you are saving 36 units of N per hectare which gives us an overall saving of 80 kilograms of urea for the season.

“While you are saving on costs you are also obviously lessening the impact that your farming operation is having on the environment. It is a win-win.”

Roscoe says the N sensor is quick and easy to set up with little input required before he starts applying fertiliser.

“We just put in the crop growth stage and expected yield and parameters around the limits you would like the sensor to spread to. It is remarkably simple.”

The N sensor has two operating modes; target rate mode where farmers provide the N sensor with a figure to work towards and absolute mode where the sensor fully controls the application rate by measuring the crop’s light reflectance which is connected to the crop’s biomass and chlorophyll content. The N sensor then calculates the crop’s nitrogen uptake and applies the correct amount of fertiliser directly to the plant.

Roscoe begins his first fertiliser application in target rate mode and then switches to absolute mode for subsequent applications if these are required. He has been surprised by the variability of fertiliser required by crops throughout his farm which is something that he didn’t have the ability to refine when using the previous variable rate system.

“I noticed a lot of variability in the first season, and it was not what we were expecting. Areas that I would have expected to require quite a bit of fertiliser didn’t require quite so much and then areas that I thought wouldn’t need as much ended up with a bit more.

“You must trust in the technology when you switch it to absolute mode, and it helps you become more efficient with farming when you try new things and move ahead with technology.

“It’s not just about saving money, it’s also about reducing our environmental impact and learning how technology can be a tool in the toolbox for the future.”

Meanwhile, a sustained period of rain during the crop flowering period in December caused fusarium head blight, a fungal disease which affects wheat and this along with other diseases impacted on some of Roscoe’s crops during the growth stage.

“We’ve had a mixed bag with the yield this season. Last season we had good growing conditions right up until harvest, which was extremely wet, whereas this year it rained during the growing season. However, we’ve have had good conditions during the harvest this year.”

Despite weather related issues, Roscoe has still managed to achieve above budget yields for his crops.

“The grasses have been above budget, and our clover is over budget as well. All the hybrid crops that we have harvested have also gone over budget. Overall, I think it has been a pretty good result for us.”

Roscoe will continue to focus on precision agriculture by measuring and quantifying the benefits of his N sensor over coming seasons. He believes that using technology wisely can enable efficient farming.

“Weather patterns are becoming more unpredictable, and we are seeing more extreme weather events occurring closer together than in the past. We have to look at what we can control and focus on farming as efficiently as we can.”