Do we really know why we farm as we do? Or are we constrained in ways we just don’t see?
Often our current practices have evolved over a very long time – thousands of years of human history, decades of technology developments. Remember the space shuttle and the horse’s rear? We’ve long forgotten some of the reasons behind what we do, so maybe it is time for a reset!
Orchard drainage isn’t just about shedding excess surface water quickly – although that is the main aim. Effective orchard drainage mitigates wheel rutting in the interrow which contribute to slips, trips and falls of orchard staff, and restrict orchard access by machinery at critical times of the year (such as harvest).
At LandWISE 2019 we will be taking a closer look at orchard drainage – and the tools and technology that are making it possible in existing orchards.
First up on the programme for Session 3 will be a progress update from Year 1 of Smart Tools for Orchard Drainage. From surveying growers, to analysing LiDAR data, and mapping puddles, there has been considerable progress made preparing for the land levelling work. We look forward to sharing this with conference delegates at LandWISE 19.
Contour Map Example
Mapping ponding using a handheld GPS unit
Ponding and Puddling: Comparing survey and computer generated ponding maps and the locations of puddles (white dots) after a rain event.
Following on from the project update, will be an in-depth presentation about the technical side of mapping land contours.
Technologies that have made the orchard drainage project possible include:
LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) a remote sensing method using a pulsed laser light to determine the distance to the earth from an aircraft that enabled us to create contour maps of existing orchards
ESRI ARC GIS, OptiSurface and other software packages for analysis and planning
RTK-GPS and drainage surveying and implementation software
SBAS (Satellite Based Augementation System) which allows us to get very accurate location on our smartphones when scouting
These technologies have a range of applications for horticulture, and have huge potential to improve the precision of our operations – whether in crops, orchards, or vineyards.
RTK-GPS mounted on qud bike and quad tractor (the funnest survey tool ever).
We’ll have our newly developed RutMeasurer available for viewing at the Field Session. We are using it toaccurately measure ruts in orchard inter-rows, and will be able to repeat measurements over time to assess the effectiveness of the different rut fixing approaches taken.
RutMeter – designed for the project to measure the depth and length or inter-row ruts
The MPI Sustainable Farming Fund “Smart Tools to Improve Orchard Drainage” project was initiated in response to extreme weather conditions experienced by pipfruit growers in the late season (March – June) harvest of 2017. It is co-funded by New Zealand Apples and Pears Inc.
A survey conducted over 3 weeks in November and December of 2018 covered 2,238 hectares of pipfruit growing orchards. Conducting the survey with growers via face-to-face interviews produced a greater number and depth of answers, however certain details were still difficult to obtain. Many growers were hesitant to provide or lacked confidence in estimations of the extent and area of wheel rut damage as a result of poor drainage.
To help with consistent assessments, we created a four panel photo scale of drainage issues found in orchards (see below). Growers interviewed considered the scale realistic and relevant. They felt able to correctly match problems areas in their blocks to the photos, but differed in their assessments of how much of a problem it might be.
The key impacts on operations identified by
the survey were predominantly categorised into three areas; tree health,
access, and labour. Almost all orchardists surveyed believed that poor drainage
was contributing to poor tree health (either visibly or evident through low
yield) or causing tree deaths (up to 10% in one extreme example). Many
orchardists remarked on wheel ruts resulting in staff injuries (due to ladder slips
in mud, tripping, or the impact of driving over uneven surfaces). Labour
availability was also affected in severe cases where orchard ponding and ruts
were the reason some contracting groups did not want to work at those sites. In
all cases where extreme damage was present, access for sprayers, and tractors
hauling harvest bins was impeded, and occasionally impossible. This meant that
costs were incurred as a result of delaying harvest windows, slowing the pace
of operations, and risking greater levels of disease at an already busy time of
year.
Situational factors common among the
orchards studied included:
Frequent passes by heavy orchard
machinery for many months of the year (7 – 11)
Low spots in the in the
inter-row were the worst affected
Shaded canopies associated with
3D training and mature plantings
The area affected was 44% of the area surveyed (1,479 ha).
Tree Health
Tree trunk width comparison on a poorly drained block left: high elevation spot, right: low elevation spot
Tree health suffers as a result of poor drainage and water-logging of the soil. This was evident in the Motueka and Richmond site visits, where trunk diameter was clearly smaller to the untrained eye in low spots where ponding and wheel ruts were severe. The same observations were made during site visits in Nelson and Hawke’s Bay.
Other important comments included a
noticeably lower yield from trees where drainage problems were evident, and some
bins where mud had covered fruit during harvest resulted in a greater number of
fruit rots in post-harvest storage. One grower also mentioned that the fruit on
Fuji varieties developed russet in the worst affected areas.
Access to the orchard is critical at certain times to complete operational tasks. Where an orchard has particularly severe drainage problems the wheel ruts may be so extreme that tractor or sprayer axles drag through the mud, meaning that they are stuck or unable to enter the block. This has led to some orchardists hiring helicopters to apply fungicides when application during a specific time window is crucial. This is an expensive exercise, and is unable to be utilised for insecticide sprays, as the application method is not effective at reaching the internal area of the canopy. The mud and ruts from poor drainage make harvesting difficult and time consuming as tractors require towing (by another or multiple tractors) out of the mud when they become stuck.
As part of the MPI Sustainable Farming Fund “Smart Tools to Improve Orchard Drainage” project co-funded by New Zealand Apples and Pears Inc., we have been modelling drainage on case study orchards in Hawke’s Bay and Nelson.
Aerial images can show orchard canopy differences and indicate where tree growth is slowed or trees have died. This can be the result of poor drainage.
Aerial image of Illawarra orchard in Gisborne showing visible areas of missing and sparse canopy
We obtained LiDAR elevation data from the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Gisborne District Council which allowed us to create very detailed contour plans in ArcGIS – provided to us by ESRI and Eagle Technologies. An example is shown here, using LiDAR from Gisborne.
Detailed contour map of apple block at Illawarra in Gisborne, created from LiDAR data provided by Gisborne District Council
We can see that the block should drain from the high left (brown) corner to the low right (blue) corner. But when we examine the ground profile along the rows, we see the grade is not even.
Uneven grade along the inter-rows stops surface drainage, keeping soil wet for longer and creating conditions for pugging and wheel-track rutting.
A similar story is seen in the Hawke’s Bay case study orchard. Using HBRC LiDAR data, another contour map was made.
Detailed contour map of apple block at Evenden in Twyford, created from LiDAR data provided by HBRC
Again, inspecting the ground profile shows areas where surface drainage is held up, keeping soils wetter for longer.
Profile of inter-row showing areas where surface drainage is held by rising contour.
Our next step is to survey blocks with high accuracy RTK-GPS, measuring the profiles on the ground. We can use these profiles to design new inter-row profiles, and determine what cut and fill will be needed to ensure the rows can drain effectively. We will mount the GPS antenna as high as we can to avoid trees blocking the satellite signals.
A GPS antenna mounted on a 2 m mast to avoid signal obstruction. We have a 3 m mast option for larger, older orchards. The aerial connects the rover GPS on the quad, to a base station that determines and corrects for signal shift to give best possible accuracy
Many thanks to all the people at Illawarra Orchard, T&G Orchards, Bostock Orchards and to GPS Control Systems for your continuing support with this project.
We’ve made a good start on the orchard drainage project, visiting sites in Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay and Nelson.
Many thanks to Illawarra Orchard, T&G Global, MrApple, Bostocks NZ, KONO Horticulture and Waimea West for your active involvement.
The sites confirm the need to address drainage and the consequent track rutting and associated problems in each of the regions. We have begun our survey of sites and regions, aiming to get some objective assessment of the amount and severity of problems, where they most occur and what solutions may be applied. We already see there will not be a one-fix-for-all!
The Gisborne site that initiated the project looks better than it did after harvest 2017. But the issues remain, and we’ll be surveying and planning how to reshape inter-rows to allow surface drainage.
Gisborne orchard after harvest 2017
In Motueka, our preliminary site visit saw the same problems and similar severity. The solution will not be the same, as the land contour is very different and the are no clear exit points for water once it does leave the tree blocks.
Severe rutting in Motueka Orchard
The orchard team has been applying a range of drainage remedies with varying success.
A drainage sump installed in Moteuka. Sumps widely used in low spots, but prone to blocking after a short time.
We visited a number of Hawke’s Bay sites on different soil types. One block in Twyford is being replanted, and pre-plant levelling was carried out. We are looking to trial inter-row levelling in established blocks, with surface water moved to tiles installed at the end of rows.
Installing novaflow in Twyford orchard – pea metal fill to ground level to facilitate entry of surface drainage for inter-rows
Inadequate orchard drainage, highlighted during the 2017 autumn harvest period, is an extreme expression of a common problem that can occur anytime of the year. Muddy conditions increase disease, increase labour costs and hazards and increase storage fruit rots. Despite numerous attempts to rectify puddles and mud, the problem remains.
LandWISE has joined with New Zealand Apples and Pears Inc in a project which has gained support from the MPI Sustainable Farming Fund. Over the next three years, this project will draw on experience from other sectors and access to new precision agriculture technologies to address the problem through precision surface drainage, particularly in established orchards where it is especially difficult.
Orchard inspections have shown infrastructural factors are limiting surface drainage on at least 25% of the inspected orchard blocks. The microtopography in orchards creates ponding areas that stay wetter for longer. When sprayers and other traffic pass through, the surface is damage and soil smeared. This further reduces natural drainage and the problem spreads.
This project will adapt and pilot use of precision technologies to survey, design and implement surface drainage plans that minimise ponding risk and reduce these negative impacts. These will be supported by guidelines for wheel track management to provide a secure base for harvest traffic. This will become even more critical as the industry automation with picking platforms and robotic harvesters.
As well as designing effective drainage, we will determine the degree of compaction on orchard blocks and assess root development under the permanent wheel tracks. We will develop ways to restore a good working surface in the inter-row that has strength to carry traffic without unduly compromising root development.
For more information, contact Rachel Kilmister Rachel Kilmister Rachel at applesandpears.nz or Dan Bloomer at LandWISE.org.nz
In 2018, our sixteenth conference addresses the topic of “Technologies for Timely Actions”. We are delighted that LandWISE 2018 is officially part of Techweek, a festival amplifying New Zealand innovation that’s good for the world.
The intention behind Techweek is simple – New Zealand’s technology and innovation sectors are growing rapidly, and Techweek fosters that growth by providing a week-long opportunity for connection and cross-pollination.
The draft programme will be released soon. Members will receive regular updates, but for now pur 23-24 May in your diary. Then come along, listen, discuss:
How can managers and other decision makers get the information they need, process it, and decide what to do?
What is the information they need?
What tools help them make sense of it?
What’s available (or coming) to make it as easy and reliable as possible to do the right thing, in the right place at the right time?
It’s not just robots and computers : the quick Nitrate test promises rapid determination of available N while standing in the paddock – considerable help when deciding “do I put more now or can I hold off?” Combine that with smart crop zoning (that does involve computing) and maybe we can lift quality and reduce impacts.
We look forward to once again greeting delegates at the LandWISE Conference in Havelock North on 23-24 May 2018.
We are absolutely delighted at the calibre of speakers coming together for LandWISE 2018 – Technologies for Timely Actions. They have a wide range of backgrounds, work in a range of different sectors looking at a wide range of different things.
We’ve put information about the speakers on our discussion (blog) posts. Here, they are presented as a list with links so you can follow as you please.
We are grateful for the support of AGMARDT, McCain Foods and Heinz-Watties for helping bring our international speakers to New Zealand.
BASF Crop Protection and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council are long term loyal supporters of LandWISE and their contributions are highly valued. Power Farming is a new Platinum Sponsor in 2018 and we look forward to our relationship with them. AGMARDT sponsored our international speakers.
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has been part of LandWISE since 1999, when some farmers, scientists and industry people got together to try and improve soil quality, stop wind erosion and improve irrigation efficiency and of course yields. Our Mission doesn’t change so much, but the tools to help us along the way certainly have!
BASF Crop Protection has been a foundation sponsor of the LandWISE MicroFarm as well as our annual conferences. They show ongoing enthusiasm to help us help farmers and that is greatly appreciated.
Our new Platinum Sponsor is Power Farming. We’ve had help from them in several of our projects, most recently with the Canterbury field work and field events that were part of our FAR/SFF Fertiliser Spreader Calibration project. The Power Farming catalogue matches well with our conference delegates’ and members’ interests.
AGMARDT has funded travel expenses to bring many international speakers to our Annual Conferences, as well as several projects including “Soils First Farmers” and “Validating Field Robotics“.
Process Vegetables NZ and Vegetables NZ have been conference sponsors for many years. As the levy funded industry research bodies they represent the farmers in our membership and nationally. These bodies also co-fund research projects including a number of our Sustainable Farming Fund initiatives.
Our conference delegates are well supported by our meal sponsors and trade displays. In addition, Apatu Farms sponsor high school students to attend, and McCain Foods and Heinz-Wattie’s are sponsoring keynote Sarah Pethybridge‘s travel. Thanks everyone!
Will “DroneAg” Bignell is a farmer and agricultural scientist who has worked across a number of disciplines ranging from a PhD in enhancing omega-3 in sheep meat to flying drones commercially.
Will is a 7th generation farmer from Bothwell in Tasmania and the family farm is well known for pioneering and innovating a number of new and emerging Australian industries. He runs the farm with his parents and produce wool, poppies, lamb, venison and number of boutique specialty root vegetables. 240Ha of the farm is under irrigation and 150ha is under an intensive cropping rotation.
In his LandWISE 2018 presentation Will presented his own farm case study of precision drainage including the use of UAVs to collect terrain data, the tools used to design and implement drainage plans and the results following a heavy rainfall event.
DroneAg is the combination of Will and Kyle Gardner who combine a unique mix of skills that places DroneAg in a very strong position to push the boundaries of just what drones can do for farm businesses.
Will’s attendance at LandWISE 2018 was supported by AGMARDT
We are delighted that 
Our conference delegates are well supported by our meal sponsors and trade displays. In addition, Apatu Farms sponsor high school students to attend, and McCain Foods and Heinz-Wattie’s are sponsoring keynote 
Will “DroneAg” Bignell is a farmer and agricultural scientist who has worked across a number of disciplines ranging from a PhD in enhancing omega-3 in sheep meat to flying drones commercially.
