Irrigation automation in the Alentejo: the Agro - Vale Longo case
At Agro - Vale Longo, in Aljustrel (Portugal), some 850 hectares of maize and super-high-density olive groves are irrigated and controlled remotely. Joaquim Banza, managing partner, explains how Pivot Control with FieldNET and Agrónic controllers simplify the management of a spread-out farm.
Irrigation automation is now one of the pillars of farm management. At Agro - Vale Longo, run by the Banza brothers in São João de Negrilhos (Aljustrel), there are around 850 hectares, split almost evenly between pivot-irrigated maize and super-high-density olive groves. Joaquim Banza, one of the managing partners, explains why controlling everything remotely makes the difference.
Two systems, one farm
Magos set up two different automation solutions on the farm, working side by side: • On the pivots: Zimmatic's Pivot Control, with the FieldNET platform; • In the olive groves: Agrónic controllers from Progrès.
“All the pivots are equipped with the FieldNET system for remote control, and so are the olive groves, which have irrigation controllers that are also controlled remotely,” explains Joaquim Banza. “It makes life easier for us, since the farm is somewhat spread out.”
What changes day to day
With automated irrigation, control of the system is in the palm of your hand: • fewer trips to the field and more time for other decisions; • faster response to problems, with alerts for pressure loss or under-irrigated sectors; • better use of water, energy and working time.
Both solutions have met the customer's expectations: proof that automation adapts to the way each farm works, not the other way round.
A relationship built on trust
“We've been working with Magos for a few years now, and Magos handles 100% of the support for our irrigation,” says Joaquim Banza. “They support us whenever needed and always install the latest-generation equipment. We're satisfied and we intend to continue our relationship with Magos.”
Original post: LinkedIn
