Ainsley and Lloyd Cox, Auckland
Ainsley and Lloyd Cox live on the coast of Auckland where the weather conditions aren’t always optimal to achieve a good crop. After using a labour-intensive irrigation system, they wanted to change the sprinklers for their maize crop. They discovered SSS Irrigation and are now using it to water 15 hectares of maize crop.
Why did they choose SSS Irrigation?
They spent plenty of time researching different systems and SSS Irrigation was the only one that could work with their infrastructure. With their previous system, they had to shift the sprinklers individually by picking up the line and moving it. Ainsley explains that they tried getting the sprinklers up in the air, but hadn’t found anything that worked until they came across SSS Irrigation.
Another reason for choosing SSS Irrigation was the ability to do the work themselves. “Part of the attraction was that we could keep the costs down”, Ainsley says.
How was the experience working with SSS Irrigation?
Ainsley and Lloyd found the experience smooth and easy. SSS Irrigation gave them a plan and they ran with it. Their biggest issue was getting the pressure right on the sprinklers, but overall the installation was simple enough to do it themselves. And whenever they’ve had any issues, a phone call to Stu has been enough to resolve it.
“We find Stu very helpful, nothing is ever a problem. He’s spent a lot of time walking us through what we need help with.”
What were the results?
Ainsley says they’ve had one season with the new irrigation system so far and they’ve already seen amazing results. It’s led to significant labour-saving, and they no longer have lateral lines that get chopped up.
"We have a spectacular crop. The only problem is that the maize has grown so big that the harvester can no longer see the poles. We’ll have to put flags on them."
Ainsley says she’s keen to see what happens with the new system Stu is in the process of working on. “It’s still in the early stages, but with Stu, I’m pretty sure he will make it work.”