WaterWise on the farm - PROfarm course
Course details
| Name: |
WaterWise on the farm (previously 'Introduction to irrigation management') |
| Description: |
A course for landholders, farm managers, consultants and rural retailers to improve irrigation system performance and water use efficiency. |
| Cost: |
After NSW Government subsidy, $590 GST-free. |
| Course aims: |
- To assist participants to manage irrigation systems more effectively.
- To improve water use efficiency.
|
| Learning outcomes: |
- Understand field capacity, refill point, permanent wilting point and readily available water (RAW).
- Identify soil layers, effective root zone and soil texture.
- Calculate the soil's RAW (how much water is available to plants).
- Sample soil and water to check their suitability for irrigation.
- Discuss how water is held by soil and irrigation water quality.
|
| Length: |
4 days (24 hours total) |
| Course program/structure: |
Day 1
12 March, Paterson
- Assess soil and water resources by hand texturing soils
- Calculate rootzone RAW
- Examine the soil profile in a soil pit
- Conduct an infiltration test
- Collect a water sample from an irrigation system
Day 2
19 March, Paterson
- Evaluate pressurised (or alternatively surface systems) by discussing irrigation efficiency
- Use a checklist to evaluate your systems operation
- Interpret technical data and make comparisons between emitters
- Measure and calculate how much water is being applied by the system
- Measure and calculate the uniformity (evenness) of application of an operating irrigation system
- Measure pressure and flow at various locations in the system and pump unit operation
Day 2 (Alternative for inland regions) Surface Systems
- Describe the components of a surface irrigation system and outline important design features
- Complete measurements and calculations of head loss and flow rate to assess system performance
- Calculate distribution efficiency and field application efficiency
Day 3 - Scheduling and benchmarking
26 March, Paterson
- Determine crop water requirements
- Develop a sample irrigation schedule
- Read and interpret scheduling tools
- Complete calculations for a seasonal irrigation budget
- Gather benchmark information
Day 4 - Irrigation and drainage management planning
2 April, Paterson
- Identify goals
- SWOT analysis
- Irrigation enterprise analysis
- Develop and action plan
|
| Resources and method of delivery: |
Participants will receive a course manual.
This course is delivered using both indoor and outdoor instruction.
|
| Accreditation: |
This course is mapped to the national units of competency:
- RTE3607A - Measure irrigation delivery system performance
- RTE4605A - Schedule irrigations.
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Register
Contact us to register your interest in this course.
