Wiser use of water earns export business for WiSA (Parliamentary Secretary)

Austrade media release

14 December 2005

Australian farm equipment manufacturers are encouraged to follow the lead from Victorian-based WiSA Irrigation Solutions whose products are being snapped up overseas, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Trade, Senator Sandy Macdonald, said today.

“WiSA systems save water and dramatically increase farm production by scientifically analysing weather and soil conditions and crop data. Some positive outcomes include improved farm production from seven tonnes per hectare to 40 and a saving of 256 megalitres of water within 12 months,” Senator Macdonald said.

“The company not only serves Australia well by supplying farms in every state, they now export their irrigation systems to New Zealand, a zoo in Dubai and have prospects from buyers in Thailand, China and the United States.

“Australia’s diverse climate conditions have led firms such as WiSA to become world leaders in farm management, precise irrigation and environmental solutions,” he said.

Director of WiSA, Graeme Wright said the company has created many solutions for the sustainable future of irrigated farming through developing technologies for water use efficiency and crop production.

“Our systems are scientific, using sensors, transceivers and computer software. The management system brings in data from soil moisture probes, weather stations and other sensors onto the central computer system. The system takes in soil moisture conditions from the parameters of a farm to identify the most beneficial time to irrigate crops,” Mr Wright said.

“The usual process for farmers is to just irrigate at the end of the day, however with WiSA systems the most appropriate time will be identified, it could mean the irrigation takes place at 3pm in the afternoon – exactly when the plants and soil needs it. This method allows the production of the plant to be higher, improving crop life, and increasing a higher quality of food from those plants.

“The world water issue is massive and our systems can alleviate the effects of drought situations on farms as well as excess of water conditions. At times there might be a lot of rain, however the soil may not be penetrated effectively. The WiSA system can identify these conditions from not enough water to too much water but not enough in the soil and maximise farm production and save water.”

Mr Wright said his business is currently producing 1,000 units of a new design. The new system will be used in Queensland and then exported all over the world.

“Our aim is to be the best in the world at what we do, and we’re confident we’re on the right track,” he said.

WiSA sought assistance from Austrade’s Export Adviser in Bendigo, Brett Henderson. Through Austrade they received free advice through Austrade’s New Exporter Development Program which supported WiSA’s growth with timely information, advice and introductions to overseas contacts;

Media Contact

Rachel Kingsford Smith (Senator’s office)
Tel: 0408 019 537

Karla Davies (Austrade)
Tel: 0421 288 755