ountry News Co
Water Talk Reaching Australia ’s richest agricultural region
Eildon: Are we headed for this scenario?
8-PAGREE
TU FEJA une 2016
Saving water and money — page 3
Inflow crash hits storages — see page 6 Storage Hume Dam Lake Nillahcootie Lake Eildon Goulburn Weir Lake Eppalock
Current inflow as a percentage of average 36.3 per cent 7.1 per cent 30.5 per cent 24.7 per cent 2.4 per cent
Major upgrade coming — page 2
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PAGE 2—‘Water Talk’, June, 2016
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Goulburn-Murray Water will undertake a million-dollar upgrade of Stuart Murray Canal near Nagambie.
Winter works to upgrade canal
Water will Goulburn-Murray complete a $1.9 million
upgrade of Stuart Murray Canal near Nagambie this winter to ensure the long-term reliability and safe supply of water to its customers. The works — part of G-MW’s winter maintenance program — include the replacement of a 101-year-old drainage subway, upgrade of the canal offtake, the decommissioning of the vertical drive gates and safety maintenance for 10 road bridge crossings. G-MW dams operations manager Scott Wikman said the works were scheduled during the
winter shutdown to avoid impacting the region’s irrigators. ‘‘These works ensure G-MW’s ability to supply water to the Central Goulburn irrigation area and send water to Waranga Basin for customers from Rochester to Pyramid Hill,’’ Mr Wikman said. ‘‘Completing the works will mean G-MW has to de-water the Stuart Murray Canal.’’ Road closures will occur as G-MW completes the bridge maintenance. These could affect the Basin Rd bridge, Stewart Rd bridge, Hammond Rd bridge, Punt Rd bridge, Stewart Rd bridge, Murchison-Goulburn Weir Rd
bridge, Day Rd bridge, Druitts Rd bridge, Orr Rd bridge and Old Whroo Rd bridge. ‘‘To ensure we capture as much water as possible for the next irrigation season, we plan to lower Lake Nagambie by up to 1 m to increase our water harvest capacity,’’ Mr Wikman said. G-MW has also informed Goulburn Valley Water to ensure no impact occurs to urban water supply. Mr Wikman said the works would mean more trucks and machinery in the area and urged locals to be aware and drive safely. ➤ For more information go to www.gmwater.com.au
The works will include safety maintenance for 10 road bridge crossings.
Strong interest in Riverina water auction crowd of more than 300 people A attended the third annual water auction at the Riverina Field Days,
hosted by leading Riverina-based water broker and Australian Water Brokers Association president Tom Wilks. The introduction of online bidding, using the Auctions Plus platform, proved popular; this platform is commonly associated with online livestock sales. More than 6000 Ml of water was sold to
local and interstate buyers, sourced from the Murrumbidgee, Murray and Lachlan valleys. ‘‘We had a great turnout on the day. With online and phone bidding, bidder registrations exceeded last year’s event and the pavilion was overflowing with people,’’ Mr Wilks said. ‘‘The very strong demand for permanent general security, high security and
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supplementary water entitlements resulted in prices exceeding vendors’ expectations. ‘‘However, recent widespread soaking rains dampened the prices for temporary water. But with little runoff, it may be wise for irrigators to top-up their carryover.’’ Mr Wilks said with the growing popularity of water as an investment option, interest came from a range of interstate commercial investors. In addition to irrigators, the auction was
well attended by local agents, valuers and the wider community eager to find out what water was worth, he said. ‘‘The water auction has generated a lot of interest, both during the Riverina Field Days and after, and we expect to have the majority of the passed-in water parcels sold by the end of the week.’’ ➤ For a full list of auction results, phone (02) 6931 8522 or email water@wilkswater.com.au
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‘Water Talk’, June, 2016—PAGE 3
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Saving water, time and money By Emma Carinci
F
or the past six years, a dairy farming couple from Lancaster has saved time and resources and boosted productivity with automated irrigation. Paul and Kerrie Price hosted about 30 farmers and irrigators in May on a farm walk demonstrating improved border check irrigation technology installed on their property. The Prices have completed 80 ha of irrigation upgrades over four years and have more than doubled their pasture production from 6.4 tonnes/ha to 15 tonnes/ha. As part of a round of the government’s On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program in 2010, the Prices successfully applied for a grant and started works on their property. Before their grant was approved, the Prices needed to complete a whole farm plan and establish what they wanted to achieve. ‘‘Automation is expensive. The grant was good because doing it yourself costs a lot of money . . . nearly $3000/ha — that’s just for earthworks and outlets,’’ Mr Price said. After completing earthworks, including lasering, channels and fastflow irrigation on 15 bays, the Prices were impressed by the technology and decided to fund the remainder of their farm, another 15 bays, installing AGMAC automation. ‘‘We remodernised all the channels and bays to have greater slopes and bigger outlets,’’ Mr Price said. As part of the grant, they had to give up 57 Ml of their water to the government. ‘‘Based on calculations, we saved around 114 Ml and you had to give back half of that.’’ Since upgrading their irrigation technology, the Prices have saved 56 Ml of water. ‘‘It’s hard to put a dollar figure (on the amount saved) but it’s been substantial,’’ Mr Price said. The Prices have saved a whole lot of time with automated irrigation, and instead of irrigating almost every night during the irrigation period, Mr Price has been able to spread out this timing. ‘‘Instead of watering seven days a week, I can water every four days,’’ he said. ‘‘And I don’t have to chase water at night.’’ In the summer months, irrigation is limited to every seven days thanks to the technology. ‘‘There’s less waste so there’s less need to irrigate.’’ Not only is irrigating less frequent now, but the job
Paul and Kerrie Price are glad they modernised their farm.
The AGMAC system makes lighter work of irrigation.
Paul and Kerrie Price in one of their lush green perennial rye-grass pastures.
Efficient irrigation means less work and greener pastures. itself is less laborious. ‘‘It used to take my dad two weeks to irrigate the whole farm,’’ Mr Price said. ‘‘Due to the fluctuation in the channel system, it took 16 to 18 hours to irrigate one bay; now it’s a breeze — it takes one hour to three hours per bay.’’ Managing 310 cows and
30 paddocks, the Prices have been very happy to make their farming practices as efficient as possible. ‘‘Now, I’ve got more time — I can watch the kids play footy,’’ Mr Price said. The fully integrated computerised system also means the Prices can
irrigate remotely. ‘‘We don’t have to water on the weekend either, but if we do, we don’t have to be here to watch it.’’ Mr Price said the farm walk aimed to encourage irrigators to modernise their farms but also to consider growing perennial pasture. Because perennial rye-
One of the bays after some rainy days. grass requires a lot of work and needs to be irrigated continually throughout summer, Mr Price said this was not an attractive option for farmers, given the cost of water and dry conditions. ‘‘A lot of farmers have gone to split calving and a lot of annuals, but we feel that our system works well with perennial rye-grass and
a spring calving herd.’’ Nonetheless, Mr Price hopes automation will change irrigators’ perceptions about the viability of growing perennial pastures. ‘‘Hopefully we got across that growing perennial pasture is still a viable source of high feed quality at a low cost to produce.’’
PAGE 4—‘Water Talk’, June, 2016
water talk
Scrutinise costs and returns ow more than ever, N dairy farmers are examining the costs and
returns of every farm input, especially those associated with irrigation water. Koondrook dairy farmers Leigh ‘Skeeta’ Verhey and Angela Turner have used data collected in their role in the Dairy Farm Monitor Project to become much more savvy in their approach to irrigation investments. They approach water as a business decision, using data from their own farm and the market to inform decisions around when to buy or sell water and when to buy or sell feed. A guest speaker at this year’s Dairy Research Foundation Symposium to be held at Wagga, Mr Verhey will present some of the numbers around their
water investments and explain how they manage the secure (and not so secure) water resources they have. ‘‘We know that homegrown fodder is the most cost-effective fodder for our business model. All our fodder decisions are based around the temporary water market: do we grow it; or do we buy it in?’’ he said. Mr Verhey’s irrigation season runs between August 15 and May 15, with 329 Ml high-reliability permanent allocation, 142 Ml low-reliability shares and 252 Ml high-reliability permanent allocation (under land and leasing arrangements). The property’s total annual water use is about 850-900 Ml, so additional water is sourced on the temporary market. This season (2015-16) Mr
Skeeta Verhey and his daughter Zara Verhey in a farm crop. Verhey is on target to produce 1.7 tonnes DM/Ml irrigation water used, up from 1.3 tonne/Ml last year. ‘‘At that level of productivity we calculated it would be profitable to use temporary water at $240-$260/Ml if needed. It looks like we’ll average $235,’’ he said. The 1.7 tonne/Ml is
achieved from predominately annual pastures. About 80 per cent of the farm is used to grow annual pastures, providing feed between March and October/November, with the balance sown to winter and summer active fescues, which provide feed yearround. ‘‘During summer months we only irrigate fescue areas. The annual pastures
receive two irrigations at start-up in late March and mid-April,’’ Mr Verhey said. Mr Verhey is just one of a line-up of symposium speakers who will talk on the theme ‘Hunting efficiencies from the inside out’. Other speakers include Andrew Parkes on how cotton farms have achieved dramatic increases in water use efficiency; and vet Stewart Scott who will
discuss ways to use farm data to improve efficiency. Registrations can be made for the Dairy Research Foundation Symposium on June 15 to 17 at the Charles Sturt University campus, Wagga Wagga. ➤ For more details, phone Tara Wolfson on 0416 251 432, email tara@ ejmevents.com.au or visit www.drfsymposium.com.au
‘Water Talk’, June, 2016—PAGE 5
water talk
Water trading ban called for tate Member for S Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has called
for a permanent ban on any further irrigation water being traded out of irrigation districts in the Goulburn and Murray valleys, and a review of water trading and carryover rules. In Victorian Parliament, Ms Lovell raised the immediate concern for the districts — in light of the current dairy industry crisis — and said local farmers might be forced to sell permanent water to reduce debt. Ms Lovell said a review of the water trading and ownership should include, but not be limited to: reviewing carryover rules to only carryover for those who use water for productive use; and establishing a public register of water owners. She has also called for regulation of water brokers, including registration of brokers to provide transparency in the trading
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State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell of water and allowing more flexibility for environmental water to be sold on the temporary water market without requirement for the environmental water holder to buy further water. ‘‘In order to protect the future viability of irrigated agriculture in northern Victoria, a permanent ban must be placed on any further water being traded out of irrigation districts in the Goulburn and Murray valleys,’’ Ms Lovell said. ‘‘While this review is under way it would also present the opportunity to
also conduct a review of the Constraints Management Strategy to prevent flooding of privately owned property, which has been of grave concern to many communities in the catchment.’’ Ms Lovell said the cost of temporary water and the belief trading practices were contributing to the escalating price had been a major concern for local irrigators, and conducting this review would help to alleviate some of the stress dairy farmers were currently experiencing.
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PAGE 6—‘Water Talk’, June, 2016
water talk
Driest year since last drought By Geoff Adams
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he past year has been the driest in Victoria since the heart of the millennium drought, with most of northcentral Victoria receiving little rainfall. Bureau of Meteorology data has revealed the near-record dry year follows several years of below average rainfall. Goulburn-Murray Water’s northern Victoria resource manager Mark Bailey said the below average rainfalls impacted on all G-MW’s storages and the flow-on effect was felt by all entitlement holders who relied on these storages as their water source. Dr Bailey said in recent years, G-MW storages had moved from a position of strong water resource availability to the current dry conditions. ‘‘In storages such as Lake Eppalock just 2.4 per cent of the average inflows have flowed into the storage from July last year to the end of April this year. That’s 3.3 Gl, compared to an average of 137.4 Gl,’’ he said. ‘‘At Lake Eildon — the main supplier to thousands of farmers on the Goulburn irrigation system — we’ve recorded 30.5 per cent of the average inflows. That’s 352.6 Gl compared to an average of 1154.5. ‘‘What this means is there’s less water available for water entitlement holders — that’s the
Low inflows will impact on water availability to irrigators. farmers who grow food and fibre for our country, the environmental water holder who looks after our river health and our bulk water customers who supply towns with water.’’ Dr Bailey said dry conditions put immense pressure on G-MW’s customers. The seasonal determination
outlook released by Dr Bailey this month found low allocations were likely even if weather conditions improved. ‘‘We welcomed the recent rain after the hot and dry summer and autumn and some water reached the major storages, but the catchments need much more rain
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before water levels rise substantially,’’ he said. ‘‘This is why we’ve been urging farmers to plan how they will manage their water requirements. ‘‘We also encourage entitlement holders to use the outlook and weather information when planning their water needs in 2016-17.
‘‘We know the outlook is poor under continued dry conditions.’’ BOM climatologist Acacia Pepler said much of Victoria had reported ‘severe’ rainfall deficiencies for the 22-month period of July, 2014 to April, 2016. ‘‘For the financial year to date (July, 2015 to April, 2016), rainfall has remained below average for most of central Victoria,’’ Ms Pepler said. ‘‘For example, Lake Eildon has recorded just 74 per cent of its normal rainfall for this period, its driest July to May period since 2012-13.’’ She said last year, Lake Eildon recorded its ninth-driest year since records began in 1888, and the driest year since 2006, which was our driest year on record with 404.8 mm of rainfall. Eildon did receive above average rain during January 2016, but Ms Pepler said it was not enough to offset the recent dry conditions. ‘‘The July to May total (to date) is 552 mm, 26 per cent below average and the second driest since 2006-07,’’ she said. Rainfall at Goulburn Weir in 2015 was 35 per cent below average and Bendigo was 30 per cent below average, while the Hume Reservoir located on the NSW border was close to the average.
‘Water Talk’, June, 2016—PAGE 7
water talk
Stock pipeline plan welcomed has welcomed ThetheVFF Victorian
Government’s announcement of a $1.2 million business case to upgrade and expand the proposed Mitiamo stock and domestic pipeline. In the business case, which is expected to be complete by mid-2017, the modernisation of 10 existing dam fill systems will be investigated, and the area serviced will increase to 80 300 ha and 160 properties. VFF Water Council chair Richard Anderson said writing a business case was an important first step in developing this project. ‘‘The pipeline will boost the productivity of livestock operations and improve liveability for all farming families who are currently reliant on ageing dam fill systems to supplement their rainfall supplies in dry periods,’’ Mr Anderson said.
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The pipeline will boost the productivity of livestock operations and improve liveability for all farming families who are currently reliant on ageing dam fill systems to supplement their rainfall supplies in dry periods VFF Water Council chair Richard Anderson ‘‘Better quality water means healthier, more productive animals. ‘‘More reliability means peace of mind and a great deal less stress for farmers.’’ The business case is expected to provide significant water savings, and a secure water supply for the first time. Victorian Water Minister Lisa Neville said ensuring all Victorians had reliable access to water, particularly during ongoing dry conditions, was crucial for
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the agricultural sector and local communities right across the state. Nationals leader Peter Walsh has been arguing for the funding in recent years. ‘‘Currently large parts of the area which is proposed for the pipeline lend themselves to intensive animal industries,’’ he said. ‘‘On the southern boundary, Hazeldene’s has developed a large broiler farm operation and is looking to expand in the area for its operation at Lockwood.’’
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PAGE 8—‘Water Talk’, June, 2016
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Caution in irrigation outlooks fter some favourable early A May rainfalls, the 2015-16 irrigation season is winding
down to its final weeks and irrigators are anxiously looking forward to more promising water availability for next season. According to Ruralco, recent rainfall has provided a muchneeded relief from the mostly dry and warm conditions of recent months, and has been one of the Murray-Darling Basin’s most widespread rain events for some time. While the Bureau of Meteorology’s forecasts indicate there is a good chance of average to above-average rainfall in the coming months, recent rainfall has only just started to wet the dry catchments and a lot more is still needed during winter and spring for water availability to improve next season. Historically, inflows within the Goulburn and upper Murray catchments are winter/spring dominated. Lake Eildon has been designed to store enough water to supply Goulburn customers through at least two drought seasons. About 80 per cent of average annual inflow of 2550 Gl into Lake Hume could occur during this time. In the event of return to average
The past three dry seasons has depleted Eildon’s storages to its current level of 31 per cent. inflows over the coming months, Hume may fill from its current 20 per cent to more than 85 per cent. In addition to this, Lake Dartmouth’s storage capacity (3856 Gl) is relatively large for its catchment area with a total
volume more than four times the average annual inflow volume. With Dartmouth currently at 44 per cent, there is plenty of available dam space to be safely filled. High security and high-reliability
permanent water allocations have been resilient over the past three years of well below average inflows, achieving relatively full allocation each season largely thanks to the drawing of additional storage to complement low
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inflows into Eildon, Hume and Dartmouth. In comparison, allocations for NSW general security during the past three years have continually decreased to well below their long term average yields and allocations. However, Victorian lowreliability has not existed as there have been inadequate inflows to benefit general security and lowreliability irrigators. Final allocation outlooks for next season for the NSW Murray and Victorian systems have presented slightly less optimistic outlooks and are reflective of the continuing dry conditions faced over the past three years and are cautious regarding future inflows prior to the opening of next season. Victorian Goulburn highreliability allocation is also set to be relatively better off than Victorian Murray high-reliability under average conditions during spring, largely due to relatively better active storage and more optimism for Eildon inflows. The forecast for opening allocations for the Victorian Murray and Goulburn systems is zero to 25 per cent and three to 38 per cent, respectively.