Important things to consider when choosing the right pump for your Aussie farm

Posted by Steve Martin on March 11th, 2020

An irrigation pump in Australia is usually used to pump water from lower levels to higher levels from which the water flows through various channels to the fields requiring irrigation. The pumps can also be used to raise water to the required pressure to spray the fields through piping systems. Sometimes, pumps are usually not equipped with speed drives. You can control the flow rate by either turning the pump on or off. You can also use a throttling valve for the discharge pump, rational speed, pre-swirl control or adjusting the impeller blade pitch. Both vertical and horizontal pumps are used for irrigation purposes.

Farmers in Australia have used pumps to grow food for many years. However, this doesn’t mean that all methods of irrigation are useful. It is crucial to know what will work best for your specific situation. This requires knowledge about the available options including the disadvantages and advantages of each. Bearing this in mind, let’s take a look at things to consider in getting enough water to your crops.

The type of soil

The soil type in an area can affect the type of irrigation method you use and the irrigation run times. Clay soil holds moisture longer than sandy soil. Sandy soil requires frequent application of water in large quantities to keep enough moisture in the root zone. For clay soil, you need to apply water frequently at a lower rate. This will prevent runoff. This means that the type of irrigation pump in Australia you will need for clay soil should be different from the type of pump you will need for sandy soil.

Land topography

When choosing the right pump for irrigation in Australia, it is important to consider the land topography. Is the land sloping, hilly or flat? Drip irrigation is recommended if the laterals can run along topographic lines. System run times may need adjustment to prevent runoff. Center pivot systems and travellers are usually out of the question on severely sloping land or hilly land.

Weather patterns

Sprinklers are less desirable for irrigating land in areas of high winds and arid areas since water losses due to evaporation can be very high. Such areas in Australia need drip irrigation to prevent loss of water.

Water quality

Another important thing to consider when shopping for a pump for irrigation in Australia is the quality of water. All drip irrigation systems need some type of filtration. Other types of irrigation such as overhead systems do not require filtration. It is important to test irrigation water for the presence of waterborne pathogens. Chlorine injection may be required depending on the type of crop grown and the irrigation method. Other water quality concerns that could be of concern are levels of soluble iron.

Once you know the type of irrigation you are going to use, you can use your irrigation pump to suit the method of irrigation. Make sure you consult a professional because you can end up buying a pump that won’t work for the type of irrigation you are using.