Project details
Status: Current
At a glance
- This three-year project aims to boost sustainability and profitability for Tasmanian farmers through the efficient use of irrigation.
- We are analysing the economic value derived from investment into Tasmanian irrigation schemes, assessing both the macro (state) level and micro (farm-gate) level.
- This involves investigating the potential value of new investment into irrigation for Tasmania and individual farmers.
Case study sites
We will establish five case study sites to benchmark current irrigation efficiency and effectiveness. Each case study will aim to lift profitability and sustainability by demonstrating new irrigation technologies that are best suited to specific locations across Tasmania, addressing common issues associated with irrigation including:
- Managing difficult to ‘wet-up’ soils
- Irrigation scheduling
- Irrigating to needs of the soils, crop and climate
- Optimising efficiency
Economic assessment and modelling
The project involves collaboration between agricultural scientists, financial scientists and industry specialists to develop a farm-level financial model for analysing and maximising the impact of irrigation strategies.
The model includes multiple data inputs such as weather patterns, price of water, crop-type, soils, production costs and agricultural outputs. This gives us the ability to assess the impact of water use on farm-gate value, and will enable us to evaluate what irrigation strategies or expansions will lead to an increase in value.
Water use efficiency
We are working closely with the TAS Farm Innovation Hub to engage farmer groups and agricultural organisations. This project builds upon the current Water Use Efficiency project, which is focused on delivering resources and information for irrigators in Tasmania.
Resources
To be added as the project progresses.
Related stories
For more information contact:
Oliver Overman, TIA Industry Engagement and Extension Officer.
Email: oliver.overman@utas.edu.au
Tel: +61 3 6220 9487