Premium table grape producer Palm Vineyards equips itself for a sustainable future with 3-into-1 irrigation upgrade

An international exporter of Australian table grapes noted for the quality of its fruit and sustainability of its horticultural practices, Palm Vineyards, has upgraded its extensive irrigation infrastructure by combining three old pumping stations into a single, more efficient, floating pontoon station.

The Sunraysia producer – which has received market quality endorsements such as an international Sun World licence – introduced the new pump and filter station to distribute water from its Murray River allocation through an irrigation network extending up to 3 km, supplying outlets to its unique pergola growing system.

The Palm Vineyards growing system fed by the energy-efficient pontoon offers environmental and sustainability benefits, including the natural shading of grapes and soil, enhanced air circulation, protection from rain and sun, reduced soil runoff, and support for local biodiversity. This method practised at the Palm Vineyards at Merbein near Mildura also provides a healthier microclimate, improving the resilience of vines in changing climates.

Palm Vineyards’ new 20 x 4 m irrigation station, with 7 x 4 m floating component, can deliver up to 200 litres per second, but currently provides up to 100 l/sec. The new station has been engineered to provide for future expansion, being equipped with mainline works and sufficient room to accommodate the removal of a fourth river pump station as and when required, says David Bell, National Sales Manager for the new system’s suppliers, the Mildura branch of national irrigation specialist Water Dynamics.

Water Dynamics supplies irrigation systems to livestock and pastoral farmers, horticultural and viticultural ventures, municipal developments and construction and infrastructure projects through seven branches extending from Tasmania to Darwin, through Australia’s major irrigation regions, with operations centred on Longford (TAS), Mildura (VIC), Mt Gambier (SA), Robinvale (VIC), Yarrawonga (VIC), Darwin (NT), and Sydney (NSW).

The system, specified in partnership with Palm Vineyards’ Owner John Argiro and his son Peter, is designed for long life and efficient energy and pumping performance sustainably over the long term, says David Bell.

Pump System features

It features two 110 kW pump units with 300 mm stainless steel suction through a foot valve, and more than 20 m of stainless steel discharge pipework. The pontoon system rises and falls with water levels, ensuring uninterrupted pump operation and maintaining constant suction conditions.

Further efficiency in the pump system’s operation is provided by two 350 mm flex bellows which absorb movement in multiple directions, including vibration, thermal expansion and contraction, and resulting misalignment of pipes, preventing potential stress and damage, thus ensuring longevity.

The system also includes 350 mm and 250 mm non-return and butterfly valves regulating flow to different irrigation regions, allowing for precise water delivery based on crop needs. These quarter-turn valves offer fast operation, are cost-effective, and suitable for large flow rates, making them efficient tools for managing water use in extended irrigation systems.

The system’s single 100 mm air valve two 50 mm air valves release trapped air to improve water flow efficiency and prevent damage, while also allowing air to enter the system when it’s shut down. to prevent vacuum conditions and “suck back” of debris into drippers.

Filter System features

The filter system features twin stainless steel inlet and outlet manifolds for durability, with twin seven pod alpha disc filter on a 250 mm manifold. Alpha disc filters capture particles such as algae and organic matter through a precise, deep-filtration process using compressed, grooved discs. The alpha filters plus the 4 250 mm butterfly valves, help prevent irrigation emitters from clogging, ensuring uniform crop watering, and also extending the system’s lifespan.

“One of the major factors contributing to the success and outstanding installation was our long association with the Argiro family, who clearly understood the benefits importance of incorporating the latest technology with proven design and sustainable engineering standards they knew and trusted,” said David Bell.

“Because of the long and ongoing relationship with the clients, we were able to smoothly overcome the major challenge of disconnecting existing pumps and completing the pontoon installation in time for the new irrigation season – when it was needed to produce premium fruit for markets such as Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore.”

John Argiro says Palm Vineyards will be even better placed to supply its quality markets after being awarded a licence from Sun World International.

“The quality of our covered fruit is second to none – that’s our major point of difference in the industry. We’ve got three-quarters of all product undercover and whatever new production we put in goes undercover,” says John Argiro.