Following three years of research, the Foundation for Arable Research is ready to launch AquaTRAC, a software program which will assist cropping farmers with their irrigation scheduling.
AquaTRAC uses data including crop type, soil type, weather and irrigation levels.
It calculates when and how much irrigation to apply to optimise yield for
each crop. It also calculates the potential economic loss if the soil moisture falls below the critical deficit.
Project manager Rob Craigie said he was pleased with the outcome. "Our aim was to develop a farmer-friendly tool which would be simple, accurate and able to cope with all paddocks on an arable farm, and across a range of arable crop types.
"Soil moisture metres have been on the market for some time, however they can only cope with one paddock at a time and they come at a cost. AquaTRAC copes with multiple paddocks and is available to all arable farmers."
In order to use the tool, growers need to input data at the start of the season. Weather data then needs to be imported throughout the season through weather reports available on the foundation website.
Four diverse arable farms were used to put the tool through rigorous testing. Results showed little difference when compared to irrigation scheduling results provided by soil moisture probes.
For a copy of AquaTRAC, phone the foundation office on 03 325 6353 or email far@far.org.nz.
