NSW Local Land Services supports screening

Ian Pengilley’s farms, Willow and Tillerview, sit on the Belubula River north of Cowra, NSW. The farms produce oats, lucerne, teff, tomatoes and potatoes.

In 2018 and 2019, Ian installed two screens with some financial support from a NSW Local Land Services grant program.

The Riverscreens are an American design, imported and distributed by Eagle-i Machinery in Finley, NSW.

These screens are a great choice for sprinkler irrigation systems. They feature a very fine mesh fitted on a rotating drum, which eliminates debris and is kept clean by water jets.

Reducing stress. Improving yield.

Ian’s Riverscreens have stopped blockages of sprinkler heads by debris such as casuarina seed pods that used to get lodged in the tip of the overhead pivot sprinklers.

Ian would have to spend time each day going around and unblocking sprinklers one by one. This was time consuming and frustrating.

Now, the improved supply of water through the screens has allowed Ian to improve the consistency of his water supply and increase his yield – from a single cut of hay each season, to 3 or 4 cuts.

NSW Government researchers are working with Ian to quantify these economic benefits.

Project details

Installed:

2018 and 2019

Screen supplier:

Riverscreen

Project funding:

NSW Local Land Services & private contribution.