2.3.3 - How much irrigation water is required?

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The amount of irrigation water needed for optimum pasture production (Table 2.3) will depend on both the amount of pasture water use (Table 2.1) and the amount of effective rainfall during the irrigation season. The calculated amount of irrigation required (Table 2.3) assumes that 80 % of the total rainfall infiltrates (‘effective rainfall’) and contributes to actual pasture water use.

The average volume of irrigation required varies across northern Victoria, increasing towards the north and west (Table 2.3).

Table 2.3 The annual irrigation requirement of perennial pasture (ML/ha) - the requirement is calculated for the period between the 1st September and 30th of April, and assumes that 80 % of rainfall is effective

Site	Average	01/02	02/03	03/04	04/05	05/06	10/11	11/12
Tatura	8.5	8.7	10.6	9.2	7.9	8.5	5.6	8.8
Cobram	9.1	9.3	11.8	9.6	8.4	8.9	6.8	8.7
Echuca	9.7	9.8	11.6	9.6	8.4	8.9
Swan Hill	10.7	10.6	12.7	11.0	8.9	10.1	9.1	12.7

Note that rainfall, and hence the irrigation requirement, can vary markedly within a relatively small area, even over a property, as the result of the distribution of storms

Magflow meter are now in use for water supply to farms in northern Victoria

Magflow meter are now in use for water supply to farms in northern Victoria

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