Every farm has its turning points, moments where big decisions shape the land and legacy for years to come. For some, that moment is the shift to dairy. It’s not a decision made lightly. The stakes are high, with significant investment required in both time and resources. But for those who make the leap, the rewards can be just as great.
Among the many moving parts, water infrastructure often sits at the heart of the transition. From keeping pastures thriving under irrigation, to ensuring reliable stock water and managing effluent efficiently, getting the water side right is critical.
If you’re weighing up the switch, it pays to plan early and talk to the right people. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a few key considerations when it comes to water.
Plan Your Irrigation Carefully
Good irrigation can be the difference between a profitable dairy farm and one that struggles. But not all irrigation systems are equal, and getting the design wrong can lock you into high running costs or poor performance for years. When planning irrigation for dairy conversion, you need to match the system to:
- Your soil type: Some soils drain fast, others hold water. Irrigation needs to match infiltration rates to avoid waste.
- Your land contour: Slopes and flat areas demand different approaches.
- Paddock layout and laneways: These affect how easily water systems can be installed and operated.
- Long-term development goals: A system should serve your needs today, and be ready to expand if you grow.
Choosing efficient irrigation methods like centre pivots or well-designed sprinklers can help maximise pasture production while minimising labour and energy costs. Energy use is a major cost in irrigation. Modern systems focus heavily on energy efficiency, something well worth factoring into your design and system choice from the outset.
Make Sure Your Stock Water System Can Handle It
Dairy herds have high water demands, especially in warmer regions. On hot days, a lactating cow can drink upwards of 100 litres of water per day. Multiply that across a herd, and the infrastructure requirements add up quickly. When planning stock water systems, consider:
- Flow rates: Pipes need to deliver water fast enough, especially at peak drinking times.
- Storage: Larger tanks and reservoir capacity help buffer against sudden demand spikes or pump failures.
- Reticulation networks: These must be robust, properly sized, and well-laid-out to minimise leaks and pressure drops.
- System durability: Materials need to withstand UV exposure, cattle damage, and seasonal extremes.
Poor stock water systems lead to uneven grazing, stressed animals, lower production, and higher maintenance costs. It's an area where it pays to over-engineer a little, providing resilience for drought conditions or future expansion.
Sort Out Effluent Management
Effluent is a major consideration in dairy farming, both environmentally and from a regulatory point of view. A well-planned effluent system helps farms meet council requirements, protects water quality, and reduces fertiliser costs by returning nutrients to the land. When planning your system, key factors include:
- Storage volume: Can you hold enough effluent to avoid irrigating in wet conditions?
- Disposal areas: Are soils and slopes suitable for effluent spreading? You may need to map designated areas.
- System integration: Some farms combine effluent irrigation with standard irrigation. Others run separate systems.
- Pump and pipe sizing: These need to suit the volume and distance involved.
New Zealand councils are strict around effluent rules, especially near waterways. An upfront investment in a well-designed system reduces compliance risks and can often deliver returns through improved pasture health and fertiliser savings.
Use Smart Technology Where It Makes Sense
Smart tools like soil moisture sensors, automated irrigation scheduling, and remote pump controls help farmers make better decisions about when and how much to irrigate.
Systems like Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) allow water to be tailored across different soil types and paddock conditions, saving water and energy. Smart technology can:
- Improve pasture growth
- Reduce water and energy bills
- Help with compliance reporting
- Give greater flexibility during busy times
While not every farm needs the full suite of tech from day one, thinking about future upgrades during your initial design can save a lot of retrofitting costs later.
No two dairy conversions are the same. Every farm has its own challenges and opportunities, from soils and water access to contour and climate. Taking the time to plan your water systems properly and getting experienced, practical advice can make the difference between a smooth, successful transition and a costly, stressful one. If you’re considering a dairy conversion, it’s well worth reaching out early to people who understand local conditions, compliance requirements, and future-proof farm infrastructure. PGG Wrightson Water works alongside farmers throughout the country, helping plan and deliver practical, reliable water solutions for dairy operations.
Get in touch today for a no-obligation chat about what’s possible on your property.
