As an agronomist, Sam O’Rafferty is passionate about making every drop of water count for his farmers. The work he is doing for Coleambally cotton growers is showing great water and labour-saving results. That is why Sam is a Riverina Local Land Services and MDBA River of Life scholarships recipient. He is also taking part in the 2-year Cultivate Growing Young Leaders program.
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) supports the Riverina Local Land Services scholarship winners. Sam was awarded the River of Life scholarship to complete the program. “We’re so pleased to support Sam as he grows and shares his knowledge of the values and challenges in the Murray–Darling Basin" Executive Director River Management, Andrew Reynolds said.
“The Basin is home to 2.3 million Australians. It has internationally significant wetlands, over 50 First Nations, and 40% of Australia's farms. Scholarships like this mean communities can better understand the importance of the Basin and all the values it supports.”
Irrigation and water efficiencies
Sam grew up working on many different farms. For the past 3 years, he has worked for Griffith-based agricultural consultancy, Summit Ag. Sam said the changes in the way growers irrigate has shifted, for the better. “Coleambally is one of the biggest irrigation schemes in the country," Sam said.
"With 100Km² of irrigation area off the Murrumbidgee River, it services nearly 500 farms, around 220 hectares each. “Many of the farms use bankless irrigation channels. These channels improve farm efficiencies, safety and labour. However, water efficiencies still need improvement.” This is improving in Coleambally thanks to advances in technology.
Irrigation and technology advances
“The farmers I work with have access to Coleambally Irrigation Co-operative Limited (CICL) water delivery system. Their irrigation delivery is gravity fed through open earthen channels. The water is delivered by solar powered state-of-the-art flumegates,” Sam said.
“CICL adds another level of water and labour efficiencies for growers. An App provides a 2-hour turnaround for irrigation order delivery and flow rate adjustment. “A 2-hour water delivery brings massive productivity gains for the growers in Coleambally. Including better water efficiency. Growers adjust their irrigation scheduling and flow in an instant. This is in response to the crops requirements and changing weather patterns.
“Soil moisture probes are another big productivity gain in the irrigation industry. Most growers in Coleambally are utilising moisture probes to great effect. "Through personal experience and watching the forecast, we can get our irrigation scheduling to within 2 days of where it needs to be.
“Added to this, moisture probes help us fine tune irrigation scheduling to the day and even hour. This works in very well with 2-hour water delivery.
“Compare this to growers not using this system. Water order scheduling can take around 7 – 10 days for their water order to start and stop. Growers also pump the water out of the river with their own pumps. This is not water or cost efficient and is labour intensive.
Future water and farming efficiencies
“The next dry period is always at the forefront of producers' minds. I’m very passionate about being as productive as possible during good water allocation seasons," Sam said.
“We also need to develop robust business models. Including rotations plans in place for seasons with low allocation. Sam says growers are always looking for a greater return per hectare, improved water efficiency and surviving the next dry time. Particularly after going through the millennium drought. Sam said he sees himself working in the irrigation industry for the rest of his career.
"I want to continue to improve the production on farm across southern NSW," Sam said. “In my short career I have been lucky enough to have some fantastic mentors. I’m really keen to work with other young people who are passionate about irrigation. I want to help them develop the skills needed to advise growers.