Pasture Irrigation covers systems that keep dairy, beef and sheep pastures growing, including centre pivots, dragline, permanent sprinklers and travelling irrigators. Send one request and independent irrigation contractors who may cover your area reply with options and prices.
Send your hectares, pasture type, livestock and water source to get pasture irrigation quotes.
Get the Best QuoteWhat Pasture Irrigation Includes
- Infield system. A pivot, sprinklers or traveller sized to the pasture area.
- Mains and hydrants. Pipes laid to suit camps so irrigation and grazing can move together.
- Pump. Sized for the full system flow and pressure from dam, river or borehole.
- Livestock protection. Hydrants, risers and cables placed or guarded so cattle cannot damage them.
Who It Suits
Dairy farmers on ryegrass and kikuyu, beef and sheep farmers finishing animals on pasture, and farms growing lucerne or other fodder.
It suits operations that want reliable grazing through dry months and planned camp rotation.
System Options
- Centre pivot. Low labour on large areas. Camps can be fenced as slices of the circle. Highest capital cost.
- Dragline sprinklers. Low cost, but moving lines takes daily labour and must fit around grazing.
- Permanent sprinklers. Buried pipes and fixed risers. Little labour, but risers need protection from cattle.
- Travellers. Hose-reel machines for odd-shaped camps and dairy effluent spreading.
Match irrigation timing to grazing. Irrigate soon after animals leave a camp so it regrows, and avoid wet soil when they return to limit trampling.
How the Job Runs
- Site visit. The contractor checks camp layout, field shapes, soils, livestock movement and water.
- System choice. Options are compared on area, labour, capital and grazing rotation.
- Quote. Infield system, mains, pump and electrical work are priced.
- Installation. Mains and hydrants are laid, the pump connected and the infield system set up.
- Commissioning. Pressures, sprinkler patterns and pivot speeds are checked and set.
Pasture Irrigation Prices
Ballpark prices so you can sanity-check a quotation.
| Item | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Centre pivot, infield, per ha | R22,000 - R45,000 |
| Complete pivot for about 30 ha, excl. water source and power | R750,000 - R1,500,000 |
| Second-hand pivot | Often 40 - 60% of new |
| Dragline sprinkler, per ha | R14,000 - R25,000 |
| Permanent or solid-set sprinkler, per ha | R27,000 - R45,000 |
| Hose-reel traveller machine | R180,000 - R650,000 |
| Pivot service, per machine | R4,000 - R15,000 |
| Annual electricity, centre pivot, per ha (older tariffs) | About R6,300 |
Prices JUST UPDATED. Ballpark figures, rounded, excluding VAT unless stated. They are compiled from published South African cost estimates and typical supplier and contractor rates. They are not our prices or quotations, and no contractor is bound by them. Unless a row says otherwise they exclude the water source, power supply and earthworks, so confirm exactly what each quotation includes.
Sources:
- SASRI - irrigation cost estimates
- Typical South African supplier and contractor rates
Get prices for your farm rather than a range. Send one request and compare replies.
Get the Best QuoteWhat Affects the Price
- System type. Pivots and permanent sprinklers cost far more per ha than draglines.
- New or second-hand. Used pivots can lower the capital cost but need a careful condition check.
- Field shape. Irregular camps may need travellers or sprinklers in corners.
- Water and power. Distance to the source and the pump size drive both capital and running cost.
- Electricity. Pressure and run hours make power a major yearly cost.
Maintenance
Service pivots before the main growing season and check tyres, gearboxes and sprinkler packages. Replace worn nozzles on sprinklers and travellers.
Check hydrants and risers for livestock damage and fix leaks quickly so camps stay evenly watered.
Pasture Irrigation FAQs
Pivot or sprinklers for pasture?
Pivots save labour on large, regular areas. Draglines cost less upfront but need daily moving. Contractors can quote both for your camps.
Can irrigation be planned around camp rotation?
Yes. Lay out blocks or pivot slices to match camps so each is irrigated after grazing and has time to dry before animals return.
Can I spread dairy effluent through the system?
Travellers are often used for this. Effluent needs its own pump and screening, so mention it when requesting quotes.
Related Services
Request pasture irrigation quotes through Agricultural Irrigation South Africa and compare system types, labour needs and running costs from each contractor.
Agricultural Irrigation South Africa is a quote-comparison service. We do not design, supply, install or repair irrigation systems, and we do not employ contractors. Work is quoted and carried out by independent irrigation businesses, and your contract is with the business you choose. Ask each one for a written quotation that names the equipment, design flows and pressures, preparation, timing and any warranty terms before you pay a deposit.
Pasture Irrigation. Describe your irrigation job once and compare replies from independent contractors.
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