Dave Cameron is the CEO of Irrigation Australia. Irrigation Australia provides essential training and certification programs, helping irrigation professionals develop the skills needed to manage modern systems. Its workshops and accredited courses focus on improving water use efficiency and reducing environmental impacts, fostering a skilled workforce that can tackle the sector’s most pressing challenges.
Irrigation challenges in Australia: Balancing innovation and adaptation for a sustainable future
Dave Cameron
As climate change intensifies, Australian farmers are adopting advanced technologies and practical strategies to manage water efficiently and sustainably.
Introduction
We are increasingly challenged with feeding a growing population using diminishing water resources, while also ensuring the protection of landscapes and ecosystems that depend on this same water. Farmers and the irrigation industry are central to this effort, providing the food we rely on both domestically and for export. Part of their role also involves caring for the environment, a responsibility that grows as water becomes scarcer. Addressing this complex issue will require a careful blend of technology, innovative farming practices, and supportive government policies.
Australian innovation
Australia’s dry climate has pushed farmers to innovate constantly. Efficient irrigation has become critical for agricultural productivity, and new technologies like drip irrigation, digital tools, and data-driven solutions offer ways to optimise water use.
Australia is globally recognised for its advanced irrigation systems, including its innovative digital water management solutions, which are now being exported by Australian companies worldwide. However, it is essential to balance cutting-edge innovations with practical strategies that work for farmers of all sizes. As the country faces changing rainfall patterns, farmers are looking both to technology and new farming practices to maximise productivity with less water.
The role of technology
Recent advances in digital agriculture – such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, and satellite imagery – are beginning to reshape how Australian farmers manage irrigation. These tools provide real-time insights into soil moisture, crop health, and weather patterns, allowing farmers to adjust irrigation schedules with greater precision. IoT devices, for example, can monitor soil conditions continuously, reducing guesswork and improving water efficiency.
However, integrating these technologies poses challenges. Smaller farms, in particular, face financial and logistical barriers to adoption. While larger agribusinesses can invest in high-end systems, smaller operations may struggle to justify the upfront costs. This is why farmers need simple, practical tools that turn data into actionable insights without the complexity or high price tag.
Satellite imagery is one example of a practical solution. It offers a broader view of crop health over large areas without requiring expensive sensors on the ground. By providing detailed irrigation recommendations through easily accessible platforms like smartphones, this technology can benefit farms of all sizes, making it a more scalable and affordable option.
Adaptation strategies
In addition to adopting new technologies, Australian farmers are using a range of practical strategies to adapt to water scarcity. Soil health management is a key focus, with some growers using techniques like cover cropping, reduced tillage, and organic matter to improve soil’s ability to retain moisture. Healthy soil holds more water and reduces the amount needed for irrigation, helping farmers make the most of their resources.
Crop diversification is another strategy, with farmers shifting to more drought-tolerant crops or growing a wider variety of crops. This approach helps build resilience against climate change and weather unpredictability. By diversifying their crops, farmers can reduce the risk of crop failure while maintaining productivity.
Alternative water sources will also become increasingly important. We need to develop options like recycled wastewater and even desalinated water in regions where freshwater is limited. These alternative sources help reduce the strain on traditional water supplies and provide a more reliable solution during times of drought.
Some farmers are joining the energy transition by integrating renewable energy sources into their irrigation systems. Solar-powered irrigation is becoming increasingly popular, providing an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to power pumps. This not only reduces energy costs but also aligns with the growing focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria.
Additionally, farmers are investing in water harvesting and on-farm water storage. Techniques such as building dams, reservoirs, and water tanks to capture and store rainwater ensure a more reliable water supply during dry periods. Water-harvesting systems, such as bunds or swales, help direct and capture runoff, further supporting irrigation efforts when rainfall is scarce.
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Trace minerals are required for optimal growth, reproduction, and immunity. Optimising trace mineral status relying solely on oral supplements across a herd may fail because of variation in individual intake and reduced absorption due to antagonism of other ration components and minerals. The use of injectable trace mineral supplements has been associated with positive reproductive outcomes including improved conception rate, increased odds of pregnancy and greater final in calf rate. A study conducted on 2,168 dairy cows, administered injectable trace minerals, four weeks prior to calving and again four weeks prior to the start of mating showed treated animals had a 3.3 per cent greater final in-calf rate, and a reduced time from start of mating to conception, compared to control animals 1 . The Importance of B12 Dr Carl Eden, Technical Services Veterinarian with Boehringer Ingelheim says “Vitamin B12 is sometimes referred to as a ‘super vitamin’ because it is only required in very small amounts but vital to many essential metabolic pathways. However, demand for B12 can vary considerably during the year and we see serum levels of B12 fall at critical times, such as the first few months after calving.” Vitamin B12 contains cobalt, so deficiency in cobalt can lead to deficiency in vitamin B12 because ruminants get most of their B12 as a byproduct of ruminal fermentation where the bacteria in their rumen assemble B12 from cobalt for use by the cow. Sub-optimal trace mineral and vitamin B12 status at calving, mating, and drying off has been shown to negatively impact growth, reproduction, and immunity. Using a trace mineral injectable containing vitamin B12 can improve trace mineral and vitamin B12 status at these critical times. Marks-Min with Vitamin B12 – The Evidence In the largest trace element study to date, Marks-Min Injectable Trace Mineral with Vitamin B12 demonstrated remarkable results when compared to a reference trace mineral injection. “Given the differences between Marks-Min and other products on the market, we wanted to generate a compelling data set to demonstrate how effective it was compared to the pioneer product. We entrusted this work to a third-party research company” says Dr Eden. “We chose farms that were at the top of their game from a reproductive perspective. We made sure that the farms had no evidence of trace element or vitamin B12 deficiencies or excess.” Across all outcomes of interest, Marks-Min demonstrated clear non-inferiority when compared to the reference product. Outcomes measured included submission, pregnancy and conception rates, and six week in-calf rate. Marks-Min demonstrated it is highly suited as an alternative treatment to the reference product. Reference: 1. Hawkins, D., and B. V. S. Franklin. New Zealand Dairy Veterinarians Newsletter 24 (2007): 12-16 Company website: livestockfirst.com.au Company email address: CustomerCare.Australia@boehringer-ingelheim.com Company video: https://vimeo.com/1138807630?fl=pl&fe=cm
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