Agfloats are a new concept for an old product and an old problem. For years farmers have lamented seepage and evaporation loss from their dams. Over the last ten years or so, the lining of dams with plastic to stop seepage has been used very successfully for irrigation or where stock are excluded from the dam.

However, evaporation has proved much more difficult. There are a number of products now available. They range from a chemical additive to sheets of plastic and pool covers, and even to part filled plastic bottles.

Agfloats are old tyres, which are filled with polystyrene foam.

Long Life

They have a number of advantages over other products. They last for at least 25 years, compared with most other products of seven years or less. They allow some light and air, so fish and other water creatures can live in the dam. Whilst we do not recommend stock being allowed access, they are virtually indestructible due to stock trampling or other forces. They can also be tied to one area so that stock can access another area of the dam.

Eliminate wave action

A further advantage is that the weight and shape of the tyre completely eliminates wave action. This means that in large dams it is possible to reduce erosion of the walls without completely covering the dam. The wind will push the agfloats to the point where the waves are hitting the wall, thus saving damage.

Easily Installed

There is not skill required to placing the agfloats on the dam. They arrive in bindles of nine. It is a simple process of cutting the steel strap and rolling them in. If some should finish on top of each other, they can be pushed off with a pole, or if you have one you can send your teenage son for a dip.

Reliable and substantial savings

Savings are being tested at the site at Buckleboo by Rural Solutions SA, and compared with some other products. Agfloat expects that at Buckleboo the evaporation in a year will drop from about 2.4 metres to about 0.5 metre.

Translating this to a practical farm dam of say 5 metres deep. Normally the dam will be dry after two years of no run off rain. With agfloats that period can be extended to approaching ten years. If the drought goes longer than that then you have probably run out of feed first!