Update from the Chair

INZ recently launched our new strategy at our AGM event. A copy of a summary of the strategy is online  here. The strategy identifies advocacy as a key role for INZ but our other pillars are so important to better inform advocacy and also to position our irrigation community. We now look forward to rolling this strategy out and this started with a 'Thought Leadership' presentation from Toni Laming of Blinc Innovation Hub.

Toni spoke to us on a range of issues including the fact that while crop yields have increased worldwide, soil and water quality has declined. In every industry, people often repeat activities they know and at times we need to unlearn what is familiar and look at really defining a problem to find better solutions.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our members for your support over the past year and wish you all a happy and safe Christmas and New Year. I hope you are able to find some time to spend with family and friends over what will be a busy time for many of you. 

Nicky Hyslop
IrrigationNZ Chair

Upskill your staff online

Our new online training system is live. It is free for INZ members to use. The first training module released covers irrigation scheduling and It features eleven short videos explaining topics like soils, climate, plant water use, water budgets, soil moisture monitoring and scheduling.

You will need to be an INZ member with a member login to use the system. You can read more about using the new system here. More modules are planned on different topics in the future.

Don't miss your opportunity to become a qualified irrigation designer!

Our 2019 Certificate in Irrigation Design class intake closes tomorrow - Tuesday 18 December. This year’s class will also include a new section on drip and micro irrigation.

You can read more about the course from a student’s perspective online  here and find out more through our website.

New fertigation guide out 

INZ has developed a new fertigation guide for members which is now available online. The guide covers fertigation options and the pros and cons of these.

The guide can be used by farmers and by irrigation designers and service industry representatives. 

Showtime in Canterbury!

INZ hosted a site at the NZ Agricultural Show (formerly the Canterbury A&P Show) in November. The event was highly successful and allowed urban and rural site visitors to learn more the role of irrigation in food production, our water resources and environmental management on farms – you can see pictures here.

The site display is available to other INZ members to be used at events – to find out more please contact events@irrigationnz.co.nz

Get your irrigation system checked in South Canterbury 

With the support of a number of partner organisations, this summer INZ is checking irrigation system efficiency and providing advice to farmers to improve their irrigation operation. You can find out more about the project and register online.

In the news

Essential Freshwater Plan - time for practical & affordable solutions
Waimea dam gets final nod
Changing climate needs better water storage
Massive Canterbury irrigation scheme to transform region
Why are we so angry about groundwater?

Santa's been spotted on the farm on Facebook. And sheep stage protest!

Thanks to our partners

IrrigationNZ would like to thank all of the organisations who have partnered with us this year to make some fantastic things happen!

This includes our Conference sponsors, our partners FMG and Ballance, and organisations like WaterForce who enabled us to have a presence as the Ashburton and Canterbury Shows, and Grafton Irrigation for hosting our bucket testing team at their offices in South Canterbury. As a small organisation we can only make events and activities happen by working with others.