DELTA technology paying off

Loxton grape grower Peter Schulz, 46, can only rely on a ‘gut feeling’ that a chance he took to improve long-term conditions for his Salmon Gum Estates property is paying dividends. But Peter, owning and working the vineyard for 22 years, is confident Delta Magnetic Water Conditioners he applied to his irrigation system little more than a year ago are reducing work and saving water.

“What I’ve seen is hard to quantify. But a lot of things have happened since I installed the conditioners in 2007,” he said. “We put four conditioners in and the vines seem to grow easier and healthier there’s not as much sediment in the drip lines. And we’ve had quite reasonable tonnages despite cutting back on water.”

Farming practicality armed Peter with a desire to research ideas and concepts to improve long-term production and sustainability. He said he wanted to find a way to combat future salinity in irrigated water and reduce time, effort and chemicals flushing algae and sediment in drip lines. “I looked into it and spoke to Alex Panov from DELTAwater solutions. I’m happy it’s doing the job. Now others are looking at the technology.”

Loxton grape grower Peter Schulz among healthy vines at his Salmon Gum Estates vineyard.