Local farmers can learn how to improve productivity on their farms through optimisation of irrigation output and timing at an upcoming field day.
Attendees will hear how to ensure the water they use has the maximum positive benefit to their business.
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Dr James Hills is Australia's leading expert in pressurised irrigation for the dairy industry.
He is visiting south-west Victoria to present the latest results from research and on-farm monitoring he and the team at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) have collected as part of the Smarter Irrigation for Profit: Phase II (SIP2) project.
Joining him will be Nick O'Halloran, an irrigation extension officer from Agriculture Victoria, and experienced farm consultant Graeme Ward.
Dr Hills has been working to understand how to optimise irrigation practises to improve productivity and water utilisation on dairy farms.
Research has shown that farmers can experience substantial losses due to inefficient irrigation.
Dr Hills will explain how the monitoring of five farms over the course of three years revealed significant opportunities to boost productivity by using precision irrigation systems on-farm.
One Tasmanian farm was using 6.2 megalitres of water per hectare during the season, but incorrect irrigation scheduling meant pastures failed to grow well.
More than $70,000 in excess feed costs were required to cover the deficit.
"We found their production was typically half of what they could potentially be producing," Dr Hills said.
"There were significant issues with their irrigation practices and a massive opportunity for improvement."
By modifying irrigation scheduling practices during the research, pasture growth went from 34 kgDM to 69 kgDM per hectare per day over the irrigation period.
All farmers and service providers are invited to attend the Field Day, which will run on Wednesday, April 7 from 11am to 2pm at the Naringal Baptist Church.
RSVP by contacting WestVic Dairy on 5557 1000 or visit the events page at westvicdairy.com.au.
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