Reliable irrigation crucial to hort sector
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says access to reliable irrigation water is essential for a thriving horticultural sector.
A team of Feilding-based software engineers has helped mastermind a game-changing irrigation prototype that diagnoses its own operating faults and can launch a drone to manage crops at leaf level.
Lindsay, which produces the Zimmatic brand of pivot irrigators, has introduced the concept of the world’s first ‘smart pivot’ to its markets around the globe. Now, they are inviting New Zealand farmers and irrigation industry colleagues to give feedback so the product can be tailored to their needs.
The smart pivot is a new category of mechanised irrigation that moves beyond traditional water application and management to a wide array of crop and machine health capabilities, while also delivering proven water and energy savings.
Lindsay’s New Zealand team developed the software for the innovation that will use machine learning and multiple sensors and cameras to provide farmers with real time information and crop management solutions.
The smart pivot comes to life through Lindsay’s FieldNET remote irrigation management and scheduling technology, and its Zimmatic irrigation systems. It is designed to support healthier crops and more sustainable farming practices, while reducing risk and operational downtime, significantly expanding the capability of the traditional pivot.
Several of the smart pivot features are the outcome of collaboration and joint development with strategic partners. Such as advanced agronomic capabilities that have been developed in partnership with US-based precision-scouting leader Taranis.
Linday is inviting farmers and anyone with an interest in the irrigation industry to join them to learn more about the smart pivot and provide input into how the system could be tailored to suit their needs. The webinar will be held on Thursday, February 18 at 1pm.
To register click https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kdO-rqDMpHdGvB_H2Snd5dNHfWHUrfOUB
Or for more information about the free webinar and to find the registration link visit the Zimmatic ANZ Facebook page (@ZimmaticANZ).
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