Investing in Variable Rate Irrigation to improve pasture growth in WA

Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) was incorporated into a centre pivot that irrigated a 100ha area of pasture for dairy production at Boyanup in Western. Australia. The VRI provided a range of benefits which led to increased pasture consumption. It appears likely that investing in VRI was a very profitable option for this site, if an extra 1 t DM/ha of pasture was consumed. This centre pivot covers a large area with significant variation in soil type.  An investment in VRI may not be profitable for a site with less variation in soil type.