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How Nanobubbles Improve Water Use Efficiency on Dairy Farms

  • Writer: Lauren Oehme
    Lauren Oehme
  • May 23
  • 3 min read

Water is one of the most valuable, and heavily used, resources on any dairy farm. But with rising pressure from dry conditions, regulatory constraints, and the need to improve farm efficiency, it’s no longer just about having access to water. It’s about using every drop as effectively as possible.


That’s where nanobubble technology can add value.


Already being used by industry-leading dairy farmers across New Zealand, nanobubbles are helping irrigators get more from their systems - without needing more water. In this blog post, we explore how nanobubbles work, why they’re a game changer for dairy operations, and what kind of real world results they’re delivering on local farms.


The challenge

In a centre pivot irrigator, it’s easy to measure how many millimetres of water go on per pass. But what really matters is how much of that water is actually absorbed and used by the soil and plant roots.


Dairy farmers across Canterbury and beyond are under increasing pressure to:

●     Reduce water use and comply with environmental regulations

●     Keep pasture resilient through drier seasons and Nor’westers

●     Maximise ROI from their irrigation systems


Many farmers are looking for ways to manage their water more efficiently and effectively.


What are Nanobubbles?

Nanobubbles are microscopic gas bubbles (typically oxygen) that are smaller than a red blood cell. Unlike regular bubbles, they don’t rise and burst quickly. Instead, they remain suspended in water, increasing oxygen levels and creating a more bioavailable and reactive water solution for plant growth.


When infused into irrigation water, nanobubbles:

●     Increase dissolved oxygen, and creating a more aerobic growing environment

●     Improve irrigation infiltration and distribution

●     Interact with soils and root zones to improve absorption.


How nanobubbles improve water use efficiency

Here’s how nanobubbles help dairy farms grow more with less water:


  1. Better water uptake

    Oxygen nanobubbles in the water means improved root function. Plants can absorb moisture and nutrients more efficiently, leading to better growth with less water applied.


  2. Reduced water loss

    Nanobubble-enriched water improves infiltration into the soil, and our custom dripline delivers irrigation directly to the soil. These two factors minimise evaporation and enhance absorption, especially under hot, dry or windy conditions.


  3. Stronger pasture resilience

    Nanobubbles support root health and plant growth; with thicker sward, pasture bounces back faster after grazing or dry spells.


  4. Enhanced nutrient efficiency

    If you use fertigation, nanobubbles can help nutrients move more evenly and be absorbed more effectively, meaning less waste and better performance.


You can read more about nanobubbles here: https://www.nanobubbleagritech.com/nanobubbles


Nanobubble Agritech system operating at Align Farms, Canterbury
Nanobubble Agritech system operating at Align Farms, Canterbury

Real results - Henderson Dairy Farm, Canterbury

At Henderson Farms in Oxford, the team trialled nanobubbles over a 100ha centre pivot irrigation system. They were particularly focused on improving resilience during dry spells and reducing how often they needed to irrigate.


The results?

●     Increased pasture yield

●     Reduced water use without compromising yield or quality

●     Healthier pasture under pressure and stronger regrowth after grazing.


You can read more in the full Henderson Farms case study on this page: https://www.nanobubbleagritech.com/casestudies


Are you ready for change?

If you're a dairy farmer looking to improve water efficiency, increase pasture yield, or future-proof your irrigation system, nanobubbles could be the missing piece.


They're simple to integrate, backed by real results, and already working on NZ farms like yours.


Want to learn more?

 
 
 

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