Adelaide will be the host city for the 2022 Irrigation Australia International Conference and Exhibition from 5 to 7 October
The 2022 Irrigation Australia International Conference and Exhibition will be held concurrently with the 24th ICID International Congress and 73rd IEC Meeting that runs from 3 to 10 October 2022.
For the first time the Irrigation Australia International Conference and Exhibition featured from 5 to 7 October will include a Renewable Energy Workshop as interest in renewables explodes amid soaring electricity prices.
Irrigated agriculture plays a critical role in feeding the nation, but its ongoing sustainability and competitiveness relies on reliable, cheap, low emission electricity and diesel for the pumping of water.
According to the National Irrigator’s Council, 93% of fruit, nuts and grapes, 83% of vegetables, 48% of dairy products and 100% of rice is produced by irrigated agriculture.
The Renewable Energy Workshop on October 6 will bring together farmers and industry experts to discuss the uptake of solar, batteries, microgrids and a new term for many called agrivoltaics that combines solar and farming.
And high on the agenda will be how emissions and power costs can be cut.
A session on future tech will see Neil Thompson, Associate Professor at Queensland University of Technology, talk through the hydrogen economy and how farmers could be well placed to take advantage of these new technologies.
Neil Thompson says “Recent increases in gas prices on the East Coast of Australia have seen deteriorating margins in the ag sector.
“At the same time, volatility in diesel pricing has seen similar pressure on farms using diesel for vehicles and irrigation pumps. Accordingly, green hydrogen made from spare renewable energy and wastewater potentially offers some hope,” Neil Thompson concluded.
James Stacey, an irrigator in South Australia who grows grains, oaten hay and livestock, will detail how he has been using solar to reduce his pumping costs.
James had expensive power bills of $5K or $6K a month before installing solar. His power bills have now substantially reduced, with the payback in about three years.
James explained, “We’re able to export to the grid so that helps generate a small income during the winter months when we don’t irrigate much.
“The rough pay back for our solar, was about three years so it stacks up economically for our business. It has changed the way we irrigate too as we used to only irrigate in off-peak times, but now we can irrigate when it’s best for the crops and for us,” James added.
Anne Dansey from AgVic will be speaking about the combining of solar and farming on the same parcel of land.
AgVic have installed a number of solar panels above a pear orchard to test the impact on the trees, with early results indicating reduced fruit damage by sunburn and improved water use efficiency.
An exhibit to check in on is CHT Australia who be showcasing their latest technologies at the Irrigation Australia Exhibition and Conference from 5 to 7 October 2022. CHT will be presenting AQUA-SIL soil conditioners for clays and loams as well Aqua-Sil Biochar based fertilizers. Call in and have a chat or ring CHT Australia direct at any time.
You can contact CHT Australia through John Saad on +61 3 9797 7711 or email direct to John.saad@cht.com
Information about CHT Australia Agronomy products, AQUA-SIL soil conditioners for clays and loams as well Aqua-Sil Biochar based fertilizers that have both CEC and AEC functionalities can be found at https://aqua-sil.info
Exhibition Open Times
The Irrigation Australia International Conference and Exhibition will be held from the 5-7 October 2022 at the Adelaide Convention Centre (ACC). The exhibition hall will be open to all visitors at the following times:
Wednesday 5 October 2022 – 10:30am to 4:30pm
Thursday 6 October 2022 – 8:00am to 4:30pm
Friday 7 October 2022 – 8:00am to 4:30pm
Entry to the exhibition is free and your registration is valid to attend on any day. All visitors must either pre-register or register their details onsite at the event and collect a name badge prior to entering the exhibition.
Registration for the exhibition only will not provide access to either the 24th ICID Congress or the Irrigation Australia Conference, registration for these events can be found at www.icid2022.com.au. For information on the renewable energy workshop program visit https://www.icid2022.com.au/renewable-energy-workshop/
