Why should I choose precision irrigation over other, cheaper methods?

It’s true that precision irrigation isn’t the cheapest method. But it does ensure you grow higher lucerne yields of better quality, every season, in a range of challenging environments, using minimal resources.Plus, since lucerne is such a thirsty, sensitive crop you’ll want to avoid wasting water and nutrients through methods like flood or pivot irrigation. And not just because those methods deplete your resources – they also throw them on the soil without directing them to plant roots, which jeopardises the uniformity of your crops.

How much will precision irrigation cost me per hectare?

The price depends on three things. First, how you’ll get water from the source to the field. Second, your peak crop water demand, which is governed by your climate conditions and crop canopy cover. And finally, your soil type, which will determine your emitter spacing. To give you a quote for cost per unit area, our agronomists would need to assess these factors, among others. Get in touch so we can get started.

Should I use surface or subsurface drip irrigation on my lucerne?

Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) systems are most suitable for lucerne field operations. Compared with on-surface systems, SDIs deliver additional benefits such as lower labour requirements, protection from agro-machinery interference, and enhanced water-use efficiency. SDI systems also favour modern tillage practices such as no-till or minimum tillage.

If I have a lot of rainfall, will drip still be a good investment?

Definitely. While having ample rainfall is obviously a huge advantage, the major disadvantage is that rainfall doesn’t allow you to control and optimise your lucerne’s nutrient delivery.With precision irrigation, that nutrient delivery is targeted, dosed in controlled quantities according to your plants’ needs, so you can maintain consistent crop health and quality throughout the seasons. The technique is called ‘precision Fertigation™’, and it’s a core feature of every precision irrigation system.

What if I have an uneven topography or irregularly-shaped lucerne field?

Precision irrigation works just as well on uneven topographies. All you need is to install pressure-compensated (PC) dripperlines in your system, so water and nutrients are delivered to each plant with uniform flow rates – across your entire field.

GET MORE CUTS AND DRY MATTER – WITH LOWER COSTS

If you want to gain an edge in the lucerne market, you need to increase your lucerne yields and quality, and lower your costs. Meet precision irrigation.

The Challenge for Lucerne Growers

Lucerne is a uniquely-demanding, water-intensive, perennial crop with a deep root system. But even a little stress caused by too much or too little water will have a negative effect on its growth, development and overall stand quality. That’s why unpredictable climates and wasteful irrigation methods like flood aren’t good enough – you need consistency, not vulnerability to over or undernourishment.

How Precision Irrigation Helps

Precision irrigation gives you total control over the lucerne rootzone by using SDI (sub-surface drip irrigation), delivering water and nutrients straight to the roots of each plant. It fits into any plot, and can be applied to all topographies, field sizes and soil types. So you can maintain optimal soil moisture and nutrient levels in all conditions, across your entire lucerne field.

And if you add digital controls to your system, you’ll be able to monitor and optimise your yield as it’s growing, gaining data about every aspect of your field and local climate. So wherever you are, however you grow, you can ensure consistently high, top-quality yields every season. And make even bigger profits.

Lucerne FAQs: Things We Get Asked Often

It’s true that precision irrigation isn’t the cheapest method. But it does ensure you grow higher lucerne yields of better quality, every season, in a range of challenging environments, using minimal resources.

Plus, since lucerne is such a thirsty, sensitive crop you’ll want to avoid wasting water and nutrients through methods like flood or pivot irrigation. And not just because those methods deplete your resources – they also throw them on the soil without directing them to plant roots, which jeopardises the uniformity of your crops.
The price depends on three things. First, how you’ll get water from the source to the field. Second, your peak crop water demand, which is governed by your climate conditions and crop canopy cover. And finally, your soil type, which will determine your emitter spacing. To give you a quote for cost per unit area, our agronomists would need to assess these factors, among others. Get in touch so we can get started.
Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) systems are most suitable for lucerne field operations. Compared with on-surface systems, SDIs deliver additional benefits such as lower labour requirements, protection from agro-machinery interference, and enhanced water-use efficiency. SDI systems also favour modern tillage practices such as no-till or minimum tillage.
Definitely. While having ample rainfall is obviously a huge advantage, the major disadvantage is that rainfall doesn’t allow you to control and optimise your lucerne’s nutrient delivery.

With precision irrigation, that nutrient delivery is targeted, dosed in controlled quantities according to your plants’ needs, so you can maintain consistent crop health and quality throughout the seasons. The technique is called ‘precision Fertigation™’, and it’s a core feature of every precision irrigation system.
Precision irrigation works just as well on uneven topographies. All you need is to install pressure-compensated (PC) dripperlines in your system, so water and nutrients are delivered to each plant with uniform flow rates – across your entire field.

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PRECISION IRRIGATION FOR OPEN FIELDS

The challenges for open - field growers are different. You’re trying to keep a delicate balance between smart risk - management and fast, high-volume crop growth.
You need a solution that makes the best use of your land, time and resources, while guaranteeing consistent results in the field.

A solution that’s right for your crop, soil, climate, topography, crop cycles and business model.
That’s where precision irrigation comes in.

Precision Fertigation™

Plant nutrition isn’t a matter of quantity – it’s a matter of efficiency.

Precision Fertigation™ delivers nutrients straight to the roots of each plant, in personalised combinations, with perfect timing. So you use fertiliser more efficiently, but you grow higher-quality crops, every time, even if you're already irrigating with water.

OUR PRODUCTS

Find the precise answer for your crop, climate, and topography.

Every season is a race to grow higher yields with fewer resources. Browse our range of innovative products and tailor-made solutions and start optimising your use of the land, water and fertiliser. For higher and better yields, every time.

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