Smarter irrigation & energy advice for agriculture.
Independent engineering consultancy helping farms optimise energy use, improve irrigation efficiency, and integrate renewables.
What We Do.
At SmartAg Consulting, we help farmers avoid costly mistakes before they happen.
Too often, we see upgrades — especially solar installs — rolled out without proper planning, costing far more than they should and delivering disappointing returns. Others attempt to fix existing irrigation systems, pumps, or scheduling without clear guidance, only to create more complexity, more frustration, and more money down the drain.
Our role is to step in early, take a whole-of-system view, and provide independent advice. We look at how your energy and irrigation systems operate, where inefficiencies lie, and what improvements or redesigns will give you the biggest bang for buck.
Common Issues We Help Prevent:
Solar systems that are oversized, underused, or poorly integrated
Pumps that run inefficiently, wasting power and water
Irrigation schedules that miss the mark due to poor control or timing
Capital upgrades that are based on guesswork, not data
A lack of visibility into where your energy is actually going
Where We Help You:
Audit and analyse your current irrigation and energy use
Identify practical and cost-effective improvements
Plan and validate renewable energy investments
Improve your system performance without unnecessary spend
Future-proof your farm with smarter, leaner operations
Not sure where to start? Get in touch — we’re here to help.
Thinking About Solar? Think Strategy First.
Make sure it’s the right fit for your farm. Start with expert advice.
Meet Stephen Soutar.
With over 45 years of experience as a systems and automation engineer, Stephen Soutar brings unmatched expertise in energy efficiency, irrigation strategy, and process optimisation. His work spans sectors including agriculture, water, and wastewater, with a specialised focus on farm energy systems, renewables, and irrigation.
Based in Gippsland, Stephen works directly with farmers and agri-businesses to identify savings, boost system performance, and support future-ready operations.
More Efficiency, Less Energy.
Small changes to your irrigation can mean big savings — even without solar.
How We Work.
Initial Consultation – Understand your farm's current operations and pain points
Site Review or Data Analysis – Review systems, data, energy usage, and irrigation processes
Audit & Recommendations – Identify inefficiencies, savings, and improvement opportunities
Strategy & Planning – Tailored roadmap for upgrades, renewables, and/or cost-saving changes
Optional Support – Ongoing support during or after implementation