See the latest irrigation technology in Central
IRRIGATIONNZ will host its 2018 conference from April 1719 in Alexandra.
The conference will feature an expo, with more than 50 exhibitors showcasing the latest irrigation technologies and services.
The conference will also include short presentations on a range of new technologies and research designed to help farmers use water more efficiently, save time and money, and meet new environmental standards.
The conference is held every two years. The 2016 conference, held in Oamaru, had more than 400 attendees.
‘‘The conference is a great opportunity to catch up with other farmers and growers from Otago and across New Zealand,’’ IrrigationNZ chief executive Andrew Curtis said.
‘‘We have an exciting range of local tours planned, a panel discussion on how to address key issues irrigators have raised, a diverse range of speakers, as well as the irrigation expo and social functions to attend.’’
Local and international experts will present their views on a range of topics at the conference.
A range of new research, including how soils change under irrigation, the efficiency of borderdyke irrigation, dam safety for irrigation ponds, onfarm water storage, and soil and cropsensing technologies will be presented in short 15minute updates.
The conference attracts irrigation service industry representatives, farm advisers, academics, council and government representatives, as well as farmers.
During the summer of 201718, many areas of New Zealand, including Otago, have experienced some of their driest conditions on record.
Where irrigation was available, it played an important role in keeping local fruit and vegetables, bread, wine, meat and dairy in local supermarkets.
With climate change bringing more frequent droughts, as well as more intense and changeable rainfall patterns across New Zealand, irrigation is likely to become even more important for reliable food production in the future.
OTAGO LEADS THE WAY IN COOPERATIVE WATER
MANAGEMENT
‘‘We have chosen Central Otago for our 2018 conference as irrigation has played an important role in the district’s past, and because it also provides an interesting example of how water rights could be negotiated in the future, which the rest of New Zealand could learn much from,’’ Mr Curtis said. The history of irrigation in Central Otago is intimately linked to the region’s gold rush.
Rights to take and use water were originally issued from the 1860s and linked to mining, but were later used for irrigation.
The original permits issued for water use were renewable forever.
In the Depression, the Government funded irrigation expansion, such as the Falls Dam scheme, as public works projects, with more infrastructure developed from the 1950s to the 1980s.
Central Otago is the driest region in New Zealand, yet also home to some of our best produce, including wine, cherries, and summer fruit, as well as pastoral farming.
Farming, horticulture and viticulture are a vital part of the district’s economy, and all rely on irrigation. Historical water permits linked to mining expire in 2021 under the Resource Management Act.
Otago is now at a crossroads, with the amount of water available for irrigation expected to reduce in the future.
Representatives from the Kyeburn and Manuherikia will talk about how they are working together as farmer collectives to come up with innovative solutions to meet requirements under the new consenting system.
Irrigators are facing a challenging new environment in 2018.
Following a heated election campaign where a water tax was proposed, but not introduced, a new Government took office made up of three parties with differing views towards agriculture and irrigation. At the IrrigationNZ conference, a range of panellists will discuss the key challenges raised by farmers and growers in IrrigationNZ’s recent member survey:
How do we communicate the benefits and importance of irrigated agriculture?
How might the new Government’s environmental focus affect irrigation in New Zealand?
How do we measure the environment impacts of bestpractice irrigation?
Panellists will also discuss a future vision for the irrigation sector operating under a new Government, with the moderator being Radio NZ Morning Report presenter Guyon Espiner. The audience will be invited to participate in the discussion. This session is sponsored by FMG.