Managing water for yield and profit
Data was collected from farms in eleven growing regions over five years from 2002. The training guide produced gives information and tools to help growers manage crop water use for maximum returns, to minimise production risks, and to calculate the real value of the water applied.
Why study this?
Water use efficiency is a critical issue for yield and profit in the vegetable industry. The study helps growers determine the threshold price of water above which vegetable growing becomes uneconomic.
What was done
AHR collected data over five years, from 2002, from farms in eleven regions of NSW and Qld.
What we found
To use water efficiently and optimally:
growers need to measure the amount of water applied
accurate on-farm data of water use is needed to help set benchmarks
Resources
The Managing water for yield and profit_Training guide training guide outlines the tools required and the opportunities available to improve the efficiency and profitability of water use in vegetable crop production. It can be used and adapted by irrigators to maximise yield and quality by giving tools to determine when to apply water, how much to apply, and how to apply it.
For more information contact
Dr Gordon Rogers, Applied Horticultural Research Pty Ltd
