Penny and Gary Robinson trialled a subsurface irrigation system last summer.
After trialling a subsurface irrigation system last summer, Cust dairy grazers Gary and Penny Robinson are keen to collect data and compare this with traditional irrigation systems to back up their observations with evidence-based results.
The couple is participating in a six-month farming project, which examines how the next generation of farmers use innovative approaches to improve their practices.
Waimakariri Landcare Trust (WLT) and Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL) have partnered with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for the project, with support from MPI's Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund along with Environment Canterbury, Ballance, and DairyNZ.
A subsurface drip irrigation system consists of a network of valves, driplines, pipes, and emitters that are installed in tape below the surface of the soil.
The evenly-spaced emitters slowly release water directly to the root zone of plants which differs from traditional irrigation systems that apply water to the surface of the soil.
Gary had been interested in subsurface irrigation for some time before seeing the system first-hand at the Carrfields tent at the 2019 Canterbury A & P Show.
"I knew it had been heavily used overseas and once I saw it at the Show, I thought, we have to look into this and see if we can make it work in New Zealand.
Cust dairy grazers Penny and Gary Robinson will collect and compare data from traditional irrigation systems to prove the benefits of their subsurface drip irrigation system. Photo / Supplied
"We aligned ourselves with Carrfields regional manager Jeff Denley who planned to learn more about the system at the World Ag Expo in California in early 2020."
Unfortunately, Denley was unable to attend the Expo due to work commitments, so Gary and Penny went in his place and observed the system working first-hand, by visiting large-scale dairy operations in California.
Seeing how subsurface irrigation worked and the longevity of the system, along with the increased pasture growth and environmental benefits, convinced them to test the system on a portion of their 160-hectare leased beef and dairy grazing support farm in Cust, Penny said.
"We decided to go with Netafim as they have a huge amount of R and D behind them and a great track record, along with the market share of the irrigation tape in the USA.
"If it wasn't for Covid they would have been keen to come out to New Zealand and hold some workshops for local farmers to learn more about subsurface irrigation.
"We still hope that can happen at some stage in the future."
Gary described subsurface drip irrigation as a "game-changer," especially in terms of the environmental benefits it provides for water use efficiency.
"You're using less water and you're not wasting water. You are spoon-feeding the plant, so it is getting exactly the right amount of water.
It was a low-pressure system, so water could be taken further, which allowed for irrigation of a larger area of land, Gary said.
"If you want to get into fertigation, you can add exactly the right amount of nutrients without washing them away. It could help to solve our nitrate leaching problem."
The couple is looking forward to gathering data from their system and comparing this with similar farming operations over the next six months, so they can prove the benefits of subsurface drip irrigation.
"We've seen how it works but now we need the proof so we can show people the facts and figures behind the system and then have a real go of it as a business opportunity."
