The journey began in 1988 when it was created by , a multidisciplinary R&D institute affiliated with Lincoln University in New Zealand. Since its inception, it has grown from a niche tool to a global standard, now used in over 90 countries and available in eight languages including English, Spanish, Chinese, and French. The software is currently distributed by Nelson Irrigation Corporation . This widespread adoption is a testament to its reliability and effectiveness in solving complex irrigation challenges on a global scale.
Users can choose between two primary versions depending on their existing workflow: IRRICAD Training Course
Irricad Pro is a specialized software designed specifically for irrigation designers, contractors, and engineers. Developed by a team of industry experts, Irricad Pro aims to provide a comprehensive solution for irrigation design, estimation, and takeoff. The software is built to cater to the needs of professionals working on a wide range of irrigation projects, from residential and commercial landscapes to large-scale agricultural and golf course developments. irricad pro
allows for the import of digital terrain models (DEM). This ensures that slope and elevation changes are fully accounted for in the hydraulic analysis, which is crucial for preventing pressure issues in rolling terrain. 5. CAD Functionality
, developed specifically by irrigation engineers at Lincoln Agritech . Operating as a fully integrated CAD and hydraulic analysis tool, it allows engineers, agricultural consultants, and landscape architects to model complex systems from concept to final Bill of Materials (BOM). The journey began in 1988 when it was
A standout feature is the tool, which groups laterals within a drawn boundary, automatically placing control valves and submains. This, combined with a subdivision tool, greatly simplifies the design of complex, large-area projects.
IRRICAD Pro does not exist in isolation; it works collaboratively with other tools commonly used in irrigation engineering. The software can import images and Google Earth data, as previously mentioned. For surveyors and GIS professionals, the ability to import shapefiles (SHP) and CSV data means that existing geographic information can be incorporated directly into designs without re-entering data manually. This widespread adoption is a testament to its
The story of is one of evolution from a specialized research tool into the global benchmark for irrigation design, used in over 90 countries today. The Genesis: From Research to Reality (1988)