Good quality irrigation water is crucial for the health of your crops and the longevity of irrigation equipment. In this episode of Farmer’s Inside Track, we delve into the crucial role of water quality in agricultural irrigation.
Dexter Neethling, product manager at Netafim South Africa, shares his expertise in managing water quality on farms.
He emphasises the importance of conducting water analyses during the planning phase and continuously monitoring water quality, stating, “Doing a water analysis during the planning phase as well as continuously monitoring water quality is paramount. Water quality and how well it is managed on the farm impacts everything from the health of your crop to the longevity and efficiency of your irrigation system.”
The episode highlights how water quality affects crop suitability, irrigation system selection, and the risk of emitter clogging, among other factors.
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Neethling recounts a concerning trend observed in the Western Cape during the latest irrigation season, where deteriorating water quality led to unprecedented issues.
“During the irrigation season, we noticed extremely poor and deteriorating water quality. For the first time ever, we found various organisms growing inside a working filter in the Western Cape, where there’s no light and the system was operating at 9 bars of pressure.”
You can also learn about the importance of proper filtration and practical system designs to manage water quality challenges, ensuring long-term productivity and sustainability in farming. This episode offers valuable knowledge for anyone involved in agriculture or interested in understanding the intricacies of irrigation systems and water management.
In this episode, Neethling also addresses:
- Seasonal and long-term water quality decline;
- Parameters that determine water suitability for agricultural irrigation and more
Want to know more? Dive deeper into the episode and gain insights from the award-winning Farmer’s Inside Track, officially recognised as Africa and the world’s best podcast at the 2024 Digital Media Awards presented by WAN-IFRA, the global press organisation.
Option 1: Click here to listen on Spotify (all mobile and other devices)
Option 2: Click here to listen on any Apple device
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