Monday, 15 February 2021 15:55

Game changing irrigation system

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Back: George Ricketts - Solutions Architect, IoT, Bradley Carter - Software Engineer, Curtis Preston - Software Engineer. Front: Mike Debney - Team Lead, Software Engineering, Victoria Wassilieff - Software Engineer Back: George Ricketts - Solutions Architect, IoT, Bradley Carter - Software Engineer, Curtis Preston - Software Engineer. Front: Mike Debney - Team Lead, Software Engineering, Victoria Wassilieff - Software Engineer

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).

More like this

Point of View: Vineyard irrigation scheduling

Most vineyards require irrigation at some point. Deciding when and how much is required is a powerful management tool that directly affects fruit production, disease pressure, and even operational passes.

Lifting irrigation prowess on farm

The ability to manage an irrigation system depends on the percentage of water pumped that becomes available for plants to use, according to Watermetrics.

Featured

Vaccinate against new lepto strain

A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.

TV series to combat food waste

Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.

National

Celebrating success

The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole…

Cyclone's devastating legacy

One of the country's top Māori sheep and beef farms is facing a five-year battle to get back to where it…

Machinery & Products

Factory clocks up 60 years

There can't be many heavy metal fans who haven’t heard of Basildon, situated about 40km east of London and originally…

PM opens new Power Farming facility

Morrinsville based Power Farming Group has launched a flagship New Zealand facility in partnership with global construction manufacturer JCB Construction.

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Cut with care

OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.

Bubble burst!

OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter