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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 46(11)

Landowners’ perceptions of the benefits and barriers to adopting centre pivot and lateral move irrigators on dairy farms

R. Maskey A C , M. Bethune A and D. Lawler B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Primary Industries, Ferguson Road, Tatura, Vic. 3616, Australia.

B Department of Primary Industries, Corner Annesley Street and Ogilvie Avenue, Echuca, Vic. 3564, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: rabi.maskey@dpi.vic.gov.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46(11) 1433-1437 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA05086
Submitted: 16 March 2005  Accepted: 23 February 2006   Published: 9 October 2006

Abstract

Maintaining profitability under conditions of limited water availability is a key issue facing dairy farmers in the Shepparton Irrigation Region. These farmers predominantly use border-check irrigation. Pressurised irrigation methods are seen as one option for increasing productivity from the limited water resources. This study reports on landowners’ perceptions towards the adoption of centre pivot and lateral move irrigators, based on survey and factor analysis. The survey was of 20 landowners using face-to-face interviews. Factor analysis was used to identify broad categories of benefits and barriers that best summarised farmers’ responses to survey questions. Improved farm management, productivity benefits, lifestyle benefits and improved marketability of farms were identified as the key benefits of adopting centre pivot and lateral move irrigators perceived by farmers. Capital cost, operation and maintenance costs, layout of the farm and unreliability of systems were seen as the key barriers. An understanding of these perceived benefits and barriers is the first step towards the development of extension information relating to the adoption of centre pivot and lateral move irrigation systems.


Acknowledgments

This work was funded through the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment and Department of Primary Industries. Chris Linehan, Alan Lavis and Alfred Heuperman are acknowledged for their comments on the paper. The authors would also like to thank the referees for their useful suggestions and comments.


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