Turf QLD Industry Alert |SOIL MOISTURE MONITORING TOOL OPTION FOR TURF

SOIL MOISTURE MONITORING TOOL OPTION FOR TURF

As you would all be aware Turf Queensland in conjunction with the Queensland government is working on a project to improve production efficiencies on the turf farm. One of those tools is a moisture monitoring process.

In conjunction with a number of turf farms we are trialling moisture probes of various types and models. Unfortunately these appear to be not acceptable to the turf farmer as they do not provide information across the whole farm and the tools that do are usually manual.

Turf farmers generally don’t wish to have posts stakes or fences on the turf farm providing open space for mowing and harvesting without having to revisit the area. There is also the problem of mowing and harvesting that may in time take the top of the probes. The installation of these probes also causes problems with digging a channel to lay the cables across the farm.

After considerable discussions with Justin Clark of MEA, he has advised that he has a possible flexible option of a tool that can be placed in the tractor or utility and used on the farm in various places. The issue with this is that you will have to download the data into your computer if you are using any irrigation scheduling tools. On the upside it will give you readings across your whole farm. It is similar to soil testing which should be done across the farm in various places not just in one place.

Information on this tool is attached along with the email from Justin with price and his contacts. If you feel this is an option for you please contact Justin direct.

Click here: ThetaKit_Web 

The ThetaKit includes a Theta Probe, spare rods, insertion kit, hand held reader and carry case. Current price for the ThetaKit is $1825 plus GST.

Justin Clarke

QLD Business Development

 MEA

PO Box 18086

Clifford Gardens

TOOWOOMBA QLD 4350

Mobile: 0499 880 012

Ph: +61 8 8332 9044 |fx: +61 8 8332 9577 |www.mea.com.au