Smart Irrigation in Action: Berry Farm Upgrade

Client: Raspberry Farm Developer
Location: Mid North Coast, NSW
Project Scope: Implementation of a precision irrigation + fertigation system with remote management capabilities for a new 6-hectare raspberry farm.

Introduction

Located in a prime Rubus agricultural region, this 6-hectare raspberry farm – an expansion of an already established blueberry operation – required a precise, reliable irrigation and fertigation system to support high-yield production in a controlled substrate environment. Understanding the challenges of water management and remote accessibility, the farm’s developers partnered with North Coast Power + Water for a smart, future-ready solution.

Brendan, NCP+W Director, and Andrew, Irrigation System Designer, worked closely with the team to develop an advanced system that delivers accurate, consistent watering, with remote monitoring, and seamless scalability—ensuring optimal crop health, efficient water use and long-term growth.

The Challenges

• Critical Watering Needs

Raspberries grown in substrate require precise, consistent irrigation. Missing even a single day of watering can severely impact crop health and yield.

• Remote Management

The farm’s location and size require a system that can be monitored and controlled from anywhere, ideally via a smartphone.

• Large Blocks, varying Elevations & Single-Phase Power

Due to the very short shifts, each 1+ Ha block required correctly sized pipework & valve pressure calculations to ensure immediate uniform application rates when starting a shift with minimal (zero drainage) when stopping the shift.

A variable speed pumping system was carefully selected to overcome the limitations of only having single-phase power available.

• Future Growth Considerations

While the initial setup uses a multicore wired system for the initial 6-hectare farm, future expansion plans required a scalable, wireless solution to simplify management and enhance efficiency.

The North Coast Power & Water Solution

• Thorough Site Survey & Custom Irrigation Design:
  • We carried out a detailed survey of the 6 hectares to design an efficient irrigation system.
  • Our design draws water from a nearby creek, filling the main tanks reliably. We also provided custom Kingspan water tanks to meet the requirements.

• Advanced Pump Setup for Reliability:
  • Primary Pump: Installed a custom-built Davey Vertical Multi-Stage Pump (7.5kW), configured to operate efficiently on a single-phase power supply.
  • Redundancy: Implemented a secondary identical pump to act as a backup, ensuring uninterrupted water supply.
  • Emergency Backup: Integrated a diesel-powered pump as an additional safeguard against failures, providing peace of mind in critical watering scenarios.

• Smart Irrigation Control with Goldtec Technology
  • Goldtec Dream2 Controller: Enables remote monitoring and management via iPhone and Android devices, allowing farmers to adjust irrigation schedules from anywhere as well as receive real-time critical alarms & notifications. (maybe insert screenshot(s) of the Spot App)
  • Fertigation Control: Combined with a Fertmaster fertiliser injection bench, the system automatically adjusts nutrient levels based on Electrical Conductivity (EC) readings, ensuring optimal crop nutrition. It also continuously monitors pH and (if implemented) has the ability to automatically maintain a desired pH level.
  • Communication & Expansion:
    • Phase One: Installed a multicore wired system to connect the pump station and irrigation infrastructure for the initial six hectares.
    • Future Upgrades: Planned transition to a radio-controlled system with DC latching valves, eliminating the need for underground wiring and providing real-time sensor feedback for enhanced decision-making.

The Results

✅ Consistent & Reliable Irrigation: The dual-pump setup with an emergency diesel backup guarantees continuous operation, minimising any risk of water shortages.
✅ Remote Accessibility & Control: The Goldtec Dream2 system allows farm operators to monitor and adjust irrigation schedules conveniently from their mobile devices.
✅ Precision Fertigation: Automated nutrient delivery optimises plant health and maximises yield potential.
✅ Scalability for Future Growth: The transition to a wireless system ensures seamless expansion, reducing installation complexity and maintenance costs.

Conclusion

North Coast Power + Water successfully delivered a tough, smart irrigation system that’s built to handle the unique needs of a substrate-grown raspberry farm. By integrating high-efficiency reliable pumps, remote-control technology via the Goldtec Dream2, and precision fertigation, we’ve ensured the farm is equipped for reliable operation now and well into the future.

As the farm grows, our scalable system will continue to provide flexibility and ease of management, helping our client maintain high crop quality and productivity.

Looking for a Smart Irrigation Solution?

Contact North Coast Power + Water on 02 6651 4333 or 0483 930 995 to discuss how we can optimise your farm’s water management system for efficiency, reliability, and future expansion.