How can farmers get the most from irrigation without wasting water or damaging equipment? IrrigationNZ Principal Technical Advisor Stephen McNally explains how preparation, planning, and smart decisions make all the difference as the season begins.
In this episode, Sarah speaks with Stephen about practical steps from anchoring and mechanical checks to developing a wind plan and understanding consent conditions. They discuss a “just-in-time” approach, record-keeping, maintenance, and long-term water storage for more efficient and resilient irrigation.
Guest:
- Stephen McNally, Principal Technical Advisor, IrrigationNZ
Host:
- Sarah Perriam-Lampp, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, CountryWide
Stephen McNally is supporting farmers to lift the performance and reliability of their irrigation systems through better planning, maintenance, and decision-making. As Principal Technical Advisor at Irrigation New Zealand, he helps producers prepare for the season ahead, checking equipment, understanding consent limits, and ensuring water is applied where and when it’s needed.
Drawing on decades of experience across water management and on-farm infrastructure, Stephen encourages farmers to reflect on past seasons, keep accurate irrigation records, and adopt a disciplined approach to system checks and calibration. He’s also advocating for smarter, long-term water storage and resource management, ensuring New Zealand’s abundant water is available in the right place at the right time.
Read the article in the 2025 Spring issue of CountryWide here.
Become a CountryWide Club member for $89/year for six seasonal magazines including free postage (New Zealand only) annually: https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/
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