Smarter Irrigation for Profit
Smarter Irrigation for Profit - Phase 2 will address the challenge of reduced water availability by improving the water productivity of Australian cropping and pasture irrigators. It will do this by developing new precision irrigation technologies, improving existing technologies and facilitating faster uptake through producer led demonstration sites.
Smarter Irrigation for Profit – Phase 2 incorporates three key areas of work.

Murray Valley Soil Moisture Monitoring Network
One of the key outcomes from this project is the Murray Valley Soil Moisture Monitoring Network. Many irrigators are late with the first Spring irrigation. This delay has the potential to result in disappointing yields and a reduction in water use efficiency. The key is to monitor soil closely and irrigate on time. The network website allows farmers to keep track of the soil moisture levels in their area to assist with irrigation scheduling.
This network was made possible this season through the Smarter Irrigation for Profit Phase 2 ‘Key Learning Sites – making the most of water’ project.
Smarter Irrigation for Profit
The Smarter Irrigation for Profit (SIP) project did valuable research into irrigation system audits, irrigation scheduling, investigation of new technology, evaluation of system design and water use efficiency. The project demonstrated that improved water productivity hinged on ‘getting the basics right’. It found that participating Australian irrigators could achieve a 10-20 percent improvement in farm profitability by adopting best practice and precision irrigation technologies.