Economic costs and benefits of winter cropping irrigation scenarios in Northern Victoria

Using Irrigated Cropping Council data, the economics of irrigation and winter crop species were assessed for crop yield and profitability under various irrigation treatments, and different market prices. The economic analysis found:

• Pre-irrigating is a key factor to achieving high per mega litre and per hectare returns for barley, faba beans and canola.
• Irrigation of wheat at booting during late winter produced the highest Gross Margin and optimal use of water.
• Wheat is the most likely crop to offer high per mega litre returns during atypical market conditions during drought years under static input price and yield assumptions.