Following three years of research, the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) is ready to launch AquaTRACTM, a unique software programme which will assist cropping farmers with their irrigation scheduling.
AquaTRACTMuses data including crop type, soil type, weather and irrigation to date. It calculates when and how much irrigation to apply to optimise yield for each crop. It also calculates the potential economic loss if the soil moisture falls below the critical deficit.
Rob Craigie, FAR Project Manager is pleased with the outcome. "Our aim from the start was to develop a farmer friendly tool which would be simple, accurate and able to cope with all paddocks on an arable farm, and across a range of arable crop types.
"Soil moisture meters have been on the market for some time, however they can only cope with one paddock at a time and they come at a cost. AquaTRACTMcopes with multiple paddocks and is available to all New Zealand arable farmers."
In order to use the tool, growers need to set it up at the start of the season by inputting soil type, planting dates and crop types for each paddock. Weather data then needs to be imported throughout the season through weather reports which are available on the FAR website.
Four diverse arable farms were used to put the tool through rigorous testing. Results showed little difference when compared to irrigation scheduling results provided by soil moisture probes.
John Evans who farms at Rakaia was one of those who tested the tool. "The tool is very simple to use and I would urge all farmers, even those who are not computer savvy to have a go. It provides an excellent graphical representation of what has already happened in the paddock along with accurate forecasts of the amount of irrigation to apply, and at what time. There are never enough hours in the day so this is certainly a great planning tool to help with time management. I'm certain the tool will help minimise losses which may have occurred in the past due to late irrigation and moisture stress."
If you are an arable farmer and would like to receive a copy of AquaTRACTM, please contact the FAR office on 03 345 5783 or emailfar@far.org.nz
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