Farming is tough work, particularly in climates that might not be so hospitable, or on new, arable land that has yet to be properly irrigated, where poly pipe risers can be essential for effective water distribution. For this, farmers want to put in a new irrigation system. For those looking to get new wells drilled, or place new irrigation on their farmland, it can be tricky to know what type of irrigation system to choose. Here is a breakdown of your irrigation options, what each type is best for and how you should choose the right one for your farmland.

What Are the Different Types of Irrigation Options?

If your land is such that natural irrigation becomes impossible, as land changes over time, or you’ve bought new land and its simply this way from the beginning, you need to pick the right type of irrigation system for agriculture. But what are your options? Here are the 10 most common types of irrigation.

1. Furrow Systems: made up of a bunch of small, shallow channels that help water flow down a slope across a paddock.

2. Flood or border check: use parallel ridges or border checks to divide the paddock into bays. The ridges help the water flow down the slope of the paddock.

3. Level basin systems work when the slope of the land is flat. Water is put into basins in large amounts to make sure it pools evenly and quickly at the desired depth.

4. Centre-pivot sprinkler: a self-moving system with a single pipe that is suspended metres above the ground and held up by a row of mobile towers.

5. Hand move sprinkler: has sections of light-weight pipe that are moved by hand between waterings and a mainline is connected to a lateral pipeline.

6. Solid set and fixed sprinkler: usually set in place below the surface of the soil, with the sprinkler nozzles raised above the surface.

7. The travelling gun system uses a large sprinkler that is mounted on a wheel or trailer and fed by a flexible rubber hose.

8. Side-roll wheel-move systems: has large wheels attached to a pipe so it can be rolled to different spots on the field.

9. Linear or lateral-move systems: lateral line and towers move in a straight line across a rectangular field.

10. Low-flow irrigation: use small-diameter tubes that are placed above or below the soil's surface. Through small holes or emitters, water is added to the soil in small, regular amounts.

Keep In Mind Your Pumps Australia

When choosing an irrigation system, you also need to keep in mind your water pump for agriculture. Here are the most common types of pumps you can match with the above irrigation systems:

Split Case Pumping Options

Split case pumps are most commonly used in larger farming applications, because they are designed to handle a high volume of water. Split case pumps come in two different types - vertical pumps and horizontal pumps. The largest is the horizontal pump, which is a far larger pumping apparatus, and is easier to maintain than the vertical pump. This ease-of-use, high-volume and ease-of-maintenance make it the most popular pump among agricultural farmers of all types.

Bore Pumps

Another option for you is a bore pump, these are designed completely differently than your more traditional split case pump and are designed to handle large volumes of groundwater and can be used to adjust water pressure on-site. These submersible pumps are designed with ultimate control in mind, featuring a separate connection to control pressure and flow. A quality bore pump offers a variable speed drive, which can be controlled by an external box, and for automatic adjustment made by the pump itself to ensure a constant supply of water, regardless of a change in demand. The Bore Company has been drilling for water across a variety of soil types and depths since 1983, making it Perth's most seasoned service. Regardless of the depth, our staff can assist you in finding a reliable subterranean water supply by using their skills, knowledge, and equipment. 

Horizontal Pump Uses

Horizontal pumps are typically used by farmers that work with cattle, or other large animals that produce plenty of waste, as irrigation will be needed to allow wastewater to run-off and be irrigated properly from the soils of the farm itself. Further options for horizontal pump uses include large grain farming operations, where large amounts of water are used daily. Horizontal pumps are also highly popular for their efficiency rating, which is typically above 90% - making them a more cost-effective option.

Vertical Pump Uses

While a vertical pump is less common than a horizontal pump, it definitely has its place among agricultural farmers. For smaller, hobby-farm operations, a vertical pump system makes it perfect for many Australian farmers. This type of split case pump offers a smaller footprint than its horizontal counterpart and is most commonly used to treat drinking water. So, if you’re an off-grid farmer, a vertical pump might better suit your needs, particularly if you do run-off rainwater collection.

Choosing The Right Irrigation System

Essentially, choosing the right irrigation system comes down to these things:

• * System design and the equipment required

• * Which plant species you have and the growth stage of the plants

• * Root structure, soil composition

• * Land formation and any potential soil erosion

Regardless of what type of farming you do, and the type of pumps Australia your irrigation system has, you want to make sure you can keep up with a near-constant demand, or a fluctuation of demand as the seasons change. You’ll also have to maintain constant pressure, to make sure that you can water your crops, or make sure your animals have enough water.