Many successful irrigators in Australia are managing their irrigation for productivity and sustainability.

For the purpose of illustration, we have selected a handful of irrigators and regional groups who have improved their irrigation practices and planning, and describe how it was done.

All five case studies are written up in the publication Improving Productivity and Sustainability in Irrigation.

For example, a citrus grower who saved 50% water while boosting fruit production by 40% with open hydroponics. A dairy farmer who saved 31% of his water and increased pasture productivity 100% by switching to centre-pivot irrigation. These on-farm stories include ways of improving irrigation practices without major investment. 

Case Study 1

Using centre-pivot irrigation on a dairy farm has greatly improved water-use efficiency, pasture production and pasture quality compared to using traditional flood irrigation.

Result Saved 29% water in the first year and 31% in the second year; Increased pasture per hectare by 100% in the second year; Increased the quality of the pasture; Wider environmental benefits - no water or nutrient run-off. Go to Case Study 1 Efficiencies possible without major investment. A whole-of-system approach to water management has led to to fully piping the Harvey Water Irrigation Area. Farmers and researchers working together using a 'learn and grow' approach was a key success factor of the project.

Case Study 2

Citrus growers found that open hydroponics reduces water use while improving fruit production, quality and consistency.

Result Saved 50% water; Increased fruit production by 40%; and Improved plant health, fruit quality and consistency. Go to Case Study 2... What is open hydroponics? More accurate monitoring a prerequisite. Can infrastructure cope?

Case Study 3

Vegetable growers trialled the use of  treated effluent for irrigation in horticulture to help establish guidelines for its safe use and maintain a sustainable water supply. 

Result Security of water supply; Draft guidelines for easy transfer to using recycled water; and Best-practice irrigation methods. Go to Case Study 3... Irrigation management - adapting practices for an easy transfer to the safe use of recycled water. Salinity - mixing recycled water with other water to reduce its salinity and constantly monitoring soil salinity levels. Balancing benefits and risks - monitoring nutrients in the soil, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen. Using recycled water may mean growers can reduce fertiliser inputs.

Case Study 4

Assessing Ecological Risk - a standardised method for assessing the environmental impact of irrigation activities has been developed for water catchment managers.

Result An Irrigation Ecological Risk Assessment Framework; and Management plans minimising ecological risk in the Murray irrigation region of NSW and the Lower Loddon River in northern Victoria. Go to Case Study 4... Steps involved in the Irrigation Ecological Risk Assessment Framework. Putting theory into practice - the Framework was used to develop and implement risk management plans in two irrigation areas in Australia. Confidence in monitoring.

Case Study 5

How might issues such as free trade agreements and climate change effect the irrigation's future in the Goulburn-Broken region? One of Australia's major irrigation and food production areas is using scenario planning to develop regional strategies for natural resources management. 

Result New strategies identified to deal with future uncertainties and risks. Go to Case Study 5... Regional challenges - defining how issues such as free trade agreements and climate change might influence the irrigation industry's future. The best approach - Shepparton farmer Mr John Pettigrew tells why he thinks scenario planning was worthwhile. Reconfiguring the infrastructure.

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All five case studies are written up in the publication 'Improving Productivity and Sustainability in Irrigation - Case Studies of Success'