Cotton growers have used siphons for decades to transfer water from channels over a bank onto the crop, but a few farmers are making the switch in an effort to save water.
abc.net.au/news/bank-less-cotton-farmers-saving-water-and-labour-costs/102734274Australian cotton growers are reporting water savings of up to 20 per cent after redesigning their fields to do away with labour-intensive siphon irrigation.Cheap and low-tech, siphons are also labour-intensive, having to be started and stopped by hand around the clock during irrigation season.
"Once we are fully automated, I believe we can go over 2ML-a-hectare water saving — that means I can put in a winter crop if I choose or I can expand my acres and grow more cotton," he said.Irrigation specialist Glenn Lyons pioneered bank-less design around his home base of St George 20 years ago, taking inspiration from rice paddies in the Riverina.
"We've increased yields by two bales a hectare, and if we can increase our yields by two bales a hectare, we can probably pay for that earthworks in two years," Keytah general manager Nick Gillingham said. "There'll be areas where siphons will suit better, so I don't think we're boots on all bank-less yet but we're going to keep working on it."While some growers are attracted to the bank-less system by the water savings and yield increases, others are switching due to the chronic shortage of farm labourers.
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