History
In early 1968, E. W. L. (Laurie) Daniel was intrigued by the benefits of pipe and riser system, rather than open channels, for flood irrigation. He had attended an evening on February 13th, 1968, conducted by Hardie’s Fibrolite Pipes where a paper was presented stating that “increasing costs of production will make (pipe and riser systems) even more attractive to the stage that some agricultural pursuits will be in trouble without it” (Author Unknown).
At the time, pipe and riser systems were in their infancy and the only readily available outlets were a primitive fabricated steel product which clamped externally onto the asbestos cement risers with a lid sealing directly onto the riser pipe. By the end of that year, Laurie had developed and commenced manufacture of the first 4 inch (100mm) Agrinco Flood Irrigation Valve.
This caught the attention of James Hardie Industries, who requested the development of an 8 inch (200mm) valve. The first valves were installed a month later with James Hardie Industries using the Agrinco Valve exclusively with their systems and becoming the sole distributor.
When asbestos cement piping was discontinued and Hardie’s left the irrigation market, Agrinco Valves became available to all irrigation dealers. Laurie expanded his offerings and had a long list of available products, in conjunction with services as an irrigation consultant designing iconic systems across Victoria.
The valves have been used extensively across Gippsland and the Goulburn Valley. There are also systems in most Australian states.
Today, Agrinco Flood Valves are still available in 100mm, 150mm, 200mm and 300mm sizes. The valves are assembled by Laurie’s great-grandsons, Rupert and Charles. We sell to a number of irrigation specialists across Victoria and are open to the public as well.