Customized irrigation at its best - Bauer launches „Variable Rate Irrigation“ system for exactest precipitation rates

BAUER is the global market leader in irrigation technology: A total of more than 2,5 million hectares is globally irrigated. For over 80 years Bauer has focused on three essential customer needs: water saving, energy reduction and efficiency increase. In order to comply with the request for varying precipitation rates and optimal efficiency, Bauer has developed the VRI system (Variable Rate Irrigation). This customized irrigation system allows to achieve considerable increase of yield. The system has been developed especially for installations working with waste water or effluent but it can also be used very effectively for clean water irrigation.

To give every crop the exact amount of water needed and to take into account the different soil types, the surface and the non-irrigated areas within one irrigation field, Bauer has developed the VRI system. It has also been designed for precise distribution of pre-treated waste water and effluent. A balanced nutrient regime over the entire distribution area can be improved considerably by taking into consideration the need of crops, the soil types, the degree of humidity and the absorption capacity of the soil. The VRI systems allows for a precipitation rate adapted to the needs of crops and of the soil and prevents hence overfertilization of the crops, runoff from saturated soils and moreover it avoids negative environmental impact so that a striking increase of yield can be achieved.

Individual control of each nozzle

The VRI system allows to control each individual nozzle or nozzle groups in up to 3600 segments in one pivot run. This means that the precipitation rate can be adjusted in 0,1 degree steps. By means of the VRI software package and interface, a field map showing soil structure, obstacles, slopes etc. will be imported into the Bauer software. Based on this, the operator determinates the water level and the software automatically adapts the right water amount to each nozzle. Additional features in the software allow easy and fast operation and programming of the whole system. A specific feature of the Bauer VRI system is that all individual nozzles or nozzle groups are operated with special air controlled valves which secure a perfect operation even with waste water and effluent.

This system has been developed especially for installations working with waste water or effluent in order to optimize the nutrition management, but can also be used very effectively for clean water irrigation.