Hawke's Bay apple orchardists are particularly aware of these challenges and call on Craig Bishop's skills in irrigation, drainage and frost protection design to help them get it right.

A recent development by Brownrigg Agriculture on Swamp road required a broad range of services from Ag First Engineering including:

• drainage design,
• water source options,
• borehole contract specification,
• power and pump-shed specification,
• complete irrigation design, supply and contractor installation.

The headwork’s design includes a sophisticated irrigation controller and fertigation system.

The irrigation/fertigation system coupled with good drainage will provide excellent management tools for growing quality apples, with 50% of the orchard producing the new Jazz variety.

The apple trees are irrigated by integral dripline which is an ideal method for applying fertilizers and nutrients.

Brownrigg Agriculture's forward thinking attitude to getting the drainage, irrigation and frost protection right on this property from the start will see this orchard bearing fruit for years to come.

Whether you are starting from scratch or improving an existing orchard, Craig Bishop has the tools to help you.

• Craig Bishop - Engineering Consultant, Irrigation design specialist