Early adopter of citrus growing automation achieves cost-efficiency, connectivity, and conservation in the one package

An Australian citrus grower at the forefront of automation efficiencies sweeping through the industry is increasing production quality and output while radically reducing time inputs required to achieve the best result over multiple properties.

Major Singh, farming near Mildura, has worked with national irrigation efficiency specialists Water Dynamics to switch from slow and imprecise manual operation of multiple irrigation systems to introduce Mait automated and connected systems covering scores of outlets from one point.

The precisely controlled automation and connectivity technology systems – incorporating radio control and solar power for further operational efficiency – now comprise hundreds of automated valves and soil moisture probe combinations programmed and controlled to deliver data-driven decision making in real time, which the owner can monitor from anywhere in the world at any time.

In addition to saving time and increasing productivity, the latest installation at the Major Singh farm at Iraak also attracted support through the On Farm Connectivity Programme for which the Australian Government has allocated $53 million across three rounds, to enable primary producers to extend connectivity in their fields and take advantage of connected machinery and sensor technology. Funded through the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia, Round two involved over $16 million in rebates, allowing over 1,300 primary producers to boost connectivity on their farms. Round three is scheduled for the second half of this year.

“Major Singh has for years been at the forefront of remote monitoring and control capabilities that allow orchard managers to track irrigation progress and make adjustments from any location. This provides greater flexibility and control over the irrigation process, directing water and fertiliser when and where it is needed, while conserving water over the growth cycle,” said Water Dynamics Mildura Service Manager Adam Job.

The latest conversion to automation of Major Singh and Home and Minter Blocks of M. Singh and M Kaur has, by itself, involved 90 fully automated valves and 21 soil moisture probes spread out over the properties’ orange and mandarin orchards.

“This latest property to be automated property was previously an entirely manual operation, with on and off valves widely dispersed in paddocks, where they were started and stopped by a single irrigation controller,” said Adam.

“This time-consuming operation meant the operator had to travel to each individual site to open up outlets before the pumps could start – then repeat the operation during and after irrigation completion, to monitor the process.”

The solution to this wastage of time and water was a Mait system consisting of three separate main lines, with pump and filter on each to supply the automated vales and moisture probes. “We also installed pressure sensors across the farm so the owner can monitor pressure either at the valves’ main irrigation filters or at designated points on the main lines,” said Adam.

“In addition to the huge time savings involved – and not having to search for scarce labour to do the job – the system can be precisely controlled by use of sensors and automation to deliver water only when and where it’s needed, minimising water waste and runoff. This targeted approach ensures that trees receive the right amount of water at the right time, promoting healthy growth and preventing overwatering or underwatering.

By providing consistent and optimal soil moisture, Mait systems can be programmed to increase fruit production and to achieve higher overall yields. Healthy soil moisture levels promote robust root development, which is essential for nutrient uptake and fruit development,” says Adam, who has wide experience in optimising irrigation outcomes in the Mildura area fruit bowl of Australia.

Mait systems help maintain consistent soil moisture, reducing stress on the trees and making them less susceptible to diseases and pests. Further benefits include:

• Improved water management leading to better nutrient uptake, further promoting overall tree health and vitality.
• Reduced labour costs, which can be particularly beneficial in large orchards or areas with limited labour resources.
• Remote monitoring and control: Mait systems, such as the Major Singh installation, can incorporate remote monitoring capabilities, allowing orchard managers to track irrigation progress and make adjustments from any location. This provides greater flexibility and control over the irrigation process, even when not physically present in the orchard
• Environmental sustainability, cost-efficiency and connectivity advances in line with the On Farm Connectivity Programme

By optimising water usage and minimising waste, Mait systems contribute to more sustainable orchard management practices including data-driven decision making, says Adam Job. Mait systems – developed and refined in Australia over 30 years – collect valuable data on soil moisture levels, weather conditions, and other factors, providing insights for informed decision-making. This data can be used to fine-tune irrigation strategies, optimise water usage, and improve overall orchard management.