Irrigation Season Extension Declared a Saviour

Hugh Bradley personifies the latest generation of Tasmanian farmers – educated, forward-thinking, hard-working and articulate.

But the young Nile-based farmer was almost at a loss for words when asked what would have been the outcome if Tasmanian Irrigation had not extended the season for the Lower South Esk Irrigation Scheme this year.

“Late water is absolutely crucial for our three farms in the Nile and north of Symmons Plains areas – to both finish in the late spring and summer and start crops in the autumn,” Hugh said.

“This water enables us to get autumn sown crops, such as wheat and grass seed, up through March, April and May, which in the past may have had help from above. As well as starting our crops, late water gives us a head start to fill dams for the coming season.

“We couldn’t do what we do without access to Tasmanian Irrigation water, especially the extended season water.”

Hugh finished studying at Marcus Oldham College in Victoria in 2022 and returned to his family’s multi-generational farming enterprises four years ago. The farming business, Warrington Ag, manages around 1,600 hectares under pivot, growing grass seed, potatoes, wheat and prime lambs.

Warrington Ag relies on two Tasmanian Irrigation schemes for their Nile and Symmons Plains farms: a 700-megalitre water entitlement from the Lower South Esk Irrigation Scheme and a further 600 megalitres from the North Esk Irrigation Scheme. They employ nine full-time workers across the family’s four properties, including their farm at Longford.

Hugh said high-surety irrigation water continues to be a massive driver of profitability, sustainability and succession.

“The climate is changing. We have had three very dry summers and autumns and can no longer rely on an “autumn break” so the need for an extended irrigation season is changing – whether we like it or not.

“Dryland grazing and some cropping is becoming less profitable than it used to be. To remain competitive, we need to be irrigating and ensuring our irrigation season can be pushed out to May each year.

“Irrigation water is absolutely critical to our business and the broader Tasmanian agricultural community. We have all made long-term business decisions around having access to a reliable water supply, including investing in Tasmanian Irrigation schemes.

“As the climate is changing, we need the management systems around when we can access our water to adjust accordingly.”