One of the key variables in successful soybean production is adequate and timely rainfall. In many areas of the United States where rainfall is unreliable, rain is supplemented through irrigation.
Because water resources are incredibly valuable, farmers are working to strike a balance between productivity and stewardship.
New irrigation technologies are helping make that happen.
Daran Rudnick is an assistant professor and irrigation management specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His work focuses on irrigation management. Rudnick also researches soil-water-monitoring technologies.
Rudnick says advancements in irrigation systems, along with the use of existing and emerging technologies, are giving farmers more water-management options.
Q: How has irrigation technology changed?
A: We haven’t seen dramatic changes in some aspects, because technologies like soil water monitoring have been around for decades, although they continue to improve. But the awareness and adoption of technologies has increased.
General understanding of water limitations, particularly in areas with low water levels, has raised awareness in the value and importance of using technologies and tools to improve irrigation management.
Q: Have most developments been in the area of mechanical advancements or monitoring and sensing?
A: Advancements have been made in both areas. Irrigation systems and controllers are now capable of variably applying water (i.e., variable rate irrigation) across the system, even down to individual sprinkler control.
Sensor compatibility as well as the ability to talk across platforms have also improved. There are systems now incorporating multiple sensors. For example, soil probes can tie into a weather station. This allows farmers to get a better picture of what’s happening in a field to make a more informed decision on when and how much to irrigate.
Dashboard and remote-access products are also being developed, which makes it easier for producers and researchers to monitor and control their equipment and irrigation systems.
Q: Can these advancements help a farmer’s bottom line?
A: The challenge with any technology is knowing if it will it pay for itself. In the short-term, the noticeable economic value of adopting irrigation technology is whether or not it reduces pumping of water or increases grain yield.
However, the full economic value of irrigation technology can be difficult to quantify, especially as we consider non- or difficulty measured impacts such as a reduction in nutrient leaching or soil erosion.
Remote-based products for controlling and monitoring your irrigation system can help reduce labor and travel expenses if your fields are spread out over a large area. Furthermore, it can provide peace of mind when you can turn a system on and can drive away knowing that if a problem occurs and the system shuts down you will be alerted.