Good Management Practice (GMP) focuses on farm activities to improve water quality, and well managed irrigation plays a big part in this.
Good management of irrigation systems ensures;
- the irrigation system is efficient,
- irrigation is scheduled,
- operators are trained, and,
- auditable records are kept.
The Irrigation System is Efficient
- Any new development, upgrade or redevelopment is consistent with the Irrigation Design and Installation Codes of Practice and Standards. Using an Accredited Irrigation Design company is the best way to achieve this.
- Any new development, upgrade or redevelopment is commissioned to demonstrate it has achieved its design performance parameters.
- All irrigation systems have an annual performance assessment (a Bucket Test) to demonstrate they are performing efficiently.
Irrigation is scheduled
- When scheduling irrigation, water use must be compliant with your consent conditions - this is a legal requirement.
- There are a two ways to schedule your irrigation, these are
Operators are trained
- Training is key for everyone involved in irrigation and must include health and safety considerations.
- IrrigationNZ has online training courses, for those that want to improve their irrigation management, scheduling and development skills.
- IrrigationNZ has developed a number of resources for irrigators including guides, templates and checklists, these are available free to all IrrigationNZ members.
Auditable records are kept
- Records are key. Without evidence you cannot be accountable.
- Records also provide a useful tool for analysis of performance and continual improvement.