A new centre pivot irrigation scheme has been the single biggest investment the Gillanders brothers have ever made in the family business, but they have their sights firmly set on the multiple opportunities that ‘rain on tap’ brings. And they’re making the most of the support offered by PGG Wrightson Water to succeed.

Almondbank farm in Darfield, Canterbury has been farmed by the Gillanders family since 1865. Andrew, Stuart and Donald are the current custodians of the 780 ha farm which is divided between cropping and sheep. Approximately 400 ha was dry cropped in the past, producing wheat, barley, grass seed and peas, and heavily dependent on rain for successful yields.

That 400 ha is now under seven centre pivots, with room for three more. Operated from a central location using Valley Base Station control equipment and accommodating varying paddock shapes, the system was designed and installed by the PGG Wrightson Water team.

“PGG Wrightson Water was a natural choice for us” says Andrew, who looks after the cropping side of the farm. “PGG Wrightson has been our rural supplies store forever; we sell grain and sheep through them too.



"Philip Darragh and his team came and saw us to get an idea of our requirements; they gave us plenty of ideas and several plans. And we worked closely with them to get what we needed.

“They then managed the installation project management from start to finish. We were already undergoing huge change and upheaval on the farm with the Central Plains Water Scheme laying pipes through the property. They liaised with them and worked in with our digger contractor too.

“Over 6,000 metres of pipe was put in, it all seemed to fall into place and was complete in seven weeks.”

Subsequently, the entire farm had to be re-fenced. 

“The PGG Wrightson team drew up a fencing programme for us and we are currently working through this project.” Andrew adds.

Moving from dry cropping to irrigation brings big changes, but Andrew’s confident they have the right support in place there too. 

“Our PGG Wrightson Arable Representative, Steve Roulston has worked with us for a number of years and he’s helped tremendously with the transition. He’s here every Monday at 9am, guaranteed!”

Andrew is very happy with his investment, strong in his belief that irrigation is fundamental to the future of New Zealand agriculture. 

“Everything starts with a seed. We use water to turn that seed into protein or carbohydrate, or more seed. With water, we can secure New Zealand’s food production.”

And he’s confident this new system will enable them to become better producers all round. 

“Irrigation provides us with more opportunities in horticultural and high value crops, and creates more flexibility in our system, including better feed for the sheep.

“As a crop farmer, I tend to do everything at the right time. I plant the seed at the right time, apply fertiliser at the right time, do weed and pest control at the right time. Now I can add water at the right time.”