The Wilmar Farms team has crunched the numbers on an automated irrigation project in the Burdekin region, and the early results are impressive.

The 130ha cane farm on Stockham Road has been irrigated using full automation since it was planted early last year.

First-year results show the volume of water applied was reduced by one-third compared to traditional irrigation methods and nitrate runoff was reduced by 45 per cent. Importantly, cane yield remained the same at 136t/ha.

The automated irrigation system was installed as a joint project with Sugar Research Australia and other industry partners.

It uses state-of-the-art technology to automate turning pumps on and off, and opening and closing valves – tasks that would typically be carried out by a farmhand.

This means irrigation sets can be changed automatically anytime of the day or night, without Farmhand Robert McArdle, having to drive to the farm to open and close valves. Instead, Robert controls the irrigation schedule remotely, from a computer, smartphone or tablet.

It’s a major step forward in the use of technological innovation by Wilmar Farms, which not only delivers greater efficiencies, but also underpins sustainability and profitability.

Wilmar Farms is developing a capital program to roll out automated irrigation across its Burdekin operations. Work is under way to install automatic irrigation on two more farm blocks, totalling 250ha, next year.