Over 40% of the US faces ongoing drought conditions, with mixed water supply prospects and hotter-than-normal summer temperatures expected.

Smart Irrigation Month unites the $23.3 billion irrigation industry each July to promote water efficiency and showcase innovative technologies.

Master Irrigator programs have trained producers across seven states, impacting over 500,000 acres through peer-to-peer learning and hands-on technology training.

Precision irrigation technologies maintain optimal soil moisture levels while preventing degradation, creating a foundation for sustainable agriculture.

Healthy soils with strong aggregates and higher organic matter can hold 5,300 more gallons of water per acre, improving irrigation efficiency.

Agricultural irrigation certification validates professional expertise in water management, providing specialized knowledge for crop-specific irrigation needs.

Young irrigation professionals are developing innovative technologies and practices to address water scarcity challenges facing modern agriculture.

Smart irrigation technologies enable farmers to reduce water usage by 20% while maintaining yields through AI, remote monitoring, and precision control systems.

Advanced irrigation technology offers precision water management, but high costs and complexity limit adoption despite clear environmental benefits.

Building strategic relationships with policymakers is essential for advancing irrigation industry interests and promoting water-efficient agriculture.

Smart irrigation transforms agriculture through data-driven water management, delivering cost savings and operational resilience while protecting resources.

Federal funding uncertainty, trade policy shifts, and conservation program freezes create challenges for farmers making water management decisions amid a complex 2025 policy landscape.

Poor distribution uniformity in irrigation systems leads to environmental challenges including soil degradation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, requiring proactive strategies to improve efficiency.

The Irrigation Association's E3 program addresses industry workforce shortages by providing students and faculty with hands-on experience, education, and networking opportunities at the annual Irrigation Show.

At the California Irrigation Institute conference, Irrigation Association CEO Natasha Rankin highlights the importance of public education, regional policy approaches, and cross-industry collaboration to advance sustainable water management.

Despite a La Niña-esque weather pattern, U.S. drought coverage fell to 38% by late 2024, with improvements in the Northwest and Plains, though persistent dryness threatens water supplies in key Southwestern watersheds.

Combining remote sensing with field observations helped pinpoint an irrigation problem in a unique farming competition field

Poor distribution uniformity in almond irrigation systems leads to significant financial waste, with dollar-based analysis revealing how improving DU from 0.77 to 0.94 can substantially reduce costs.

Rising energy costs in irrigation present challenges for farmers as water scarcity creates a costly cycle, but innovative programs like LEMAs demonstrate sustainable solutions that maintain profitability.

Despite changes in administration and Congress, the irrigation industry faces persistent challenges requiring continued advocacy to ensure sustainable water policy and economic stability.

Smart irrigation combines technology with informed decision-making to ensure water efficiency and sustainability through innovative strategies, collaborative solutions, and distribution uniformity principles.

Kansas farmers tackle water scarcity through community collaboration, innovative policies, and technology adoption, demonstrating that efficient irrigation practices can maintain profitability while conserving crucial water resources.

Irrigation Show highlights industry innovation with new board members and groundbreaking product announcements.

GOP control of Congress and White House signals potential regulatory shifts for irrigation industry.

November wetness improves drought conditions and water levels across much of the United States.

Sensor-driven irrigation scheduling helps conserve water while optimizing grape yield and quality through automation.

Congress faces critical agricultural policy decisions amid declining farm income and evolving trade dynamics.

State water law shapes agricultural water rights and impacts sustainable use across the United States.

Agricultural community faces mounting challenges as farm income declines and irrigation practices shift nationwide.

Artificial intelligence transforms complex agricultural data into actionable insights for more efficient irrigation management.

USDA data reveals declining irrigated acres while farm income trends show mixed agricultural sector performance.

There are sizeable opportunities for water savings in the gravity-fed water delivery networks via irrigation districts.

Service matters in irrigation systems, where attention to detail directly impacts efficiency and return on investment.

Thanks to new scientific knowledge, we can now determine evapotranspiration rates in order to develop information for precision irrigation.

One of the most immediate and tangible benefits of IoT-driven smart irrigation systems is the significant reduction in water usage.

Drought coverage in the Lower 48 States, after reaching a four-year low of 11.77% in June 2024, nearly tripled to 29.95% by early September.

In agricultural settings, reliable water management can mean the difference between either a profitable or catastrophic growing season.

One emerging strategy and philosophy for coping with weather whiplash is regenerative agriculture.

High dependency on reliable water access makes rural economies particularly vulnerable to agricultural water-related risks.

Both candidates bring distinct approaches to agriculture policy, conservation, taxes and trade — areas that significantly impact irrigation.

In this Q&A, read some insights into how farmers can connect with the public and the importance of smart irrigation in today’s landscape.

Globally, drivers for increasing water demands include changing weather and hydrologic conditions, as well as higher population growth rates.

Exhibitors and attendees can go online to register and book housing for the 2024 Irrigation Show and Education Week, Nov. 4-7, in Long Beach.

For Peterson, farming is more than a profession. It’s a lifestyle deeply rooted in family and personal values.

Smart Irrigation Month is a month to celebrate achievements, encourage industry engagement and look forward.

As recently as October 2023, U.S. drought coverage had been above 40%.

With so many advanced irrigation solutions available today, deciding which technology suits your farm can be daunting.

The Irrigation Association offers two certification programs for ag irrigation professionals.

While there is hope for a bill to be finalized after the elections in a lame duck session, a 2025 Farm Bill is likely.

Water is a precious resource, and its correct treatment, allocation and usage are essential in supporting sustainable farming practices.

As policymakers plot the path forward for the 2024 Farm Bill, the stakes are high for farmers, consumers and the agricultural industry.

Here are some valuable tips for both farmers and dealers to maximize the benefits of their relationship.

Precision irrigation is a comprehensive irrigation strategy that integrates advanced technologies and practices.

Engaging with the IA offers a direct route for those interested in state legislative issues, particularly within agriculture.

As representatives of the irrigation industry, we are not just advocates for our sector; we are stewards of a resource that sustains life.

Here, I’ll share a couple of anecdotes that serve as bookends to some of my current thinking and research on aquifer depletion.

These definitions highlight the challenges associated with maximizing profitability when irrigating with limited water supplies.

The most important part of establishing an optimal drip irrigation system is hydraulic design.

Are there processes in your HR office that can be parallelized with software that couldn’t otherwise be in person?

The future is bright and fertigation DSS of the present are advancing fertigation management today.

Between October 2023 and February 2024, drought coverage across the Lower 48 States dipped from 40% to 19%.

Innovation Row is a part of the Irrigation Show and Education Week that features startup technology companies promoting their products.

For the most part, stronger water governance is needed in the U.S. regions where agricultural production has been predominantly rainfed.

Here, I seek to unravel a couple of factors increasing risk in agricultural production outcomes and challenging potential solutions.

In an era where gridlock in D.C. often stalls progress, it’s crucial for those in the irrigation industry to remember the power of narrative.

During meteorological autumn (September-November 2023), drought coverage across the Lower 48 states was nearly steady, ranging from 36%-40%.

The 2023 Irrigation Show and Education Week took place Nov. 27-Dec. 1 in San Antonio, Texas, at the Henry B. González Convention Center.

One way of conserving water during strawberry plant establishment and freeze protection is the use of micro/low-volume sprinklers.

Many organizations are failing to implement even the most basic security measures, such as changing default passwords leaving systems exposed.

Soil moisture sensing technology has significantly improved in recent years. Modern probes are much easier to install and extract.

Precision irrigation systems are revolutionizing vineyards. Advances in drip and microirrigation, IoT and automation optimize water usage.

“It’s a matter of national security to improve our irrigation practices, which will in turn improve agriculture’s profitability and sustainability.”

Many factors that affect the life and performance of a submersible pump. Proper selection of equipment for the application is fundamental.

The farm bill is an omnibus, multiyear bill that supports vital programs in agriculture and social welfare in America.

As the growing season unfolds, periodic drive-by center pivot checks become invaluable, especially when crops are still in the early stages.

In this article, we will explore how innovations are transforming the way growers manage their water, reduce costs and optimize crop yields.

Variable rate irrigation systems can improve water management because water can be applied in the right amount at the right location.

Advocacy isn’t a seasonal task — it’s a year-round commitment that benefits not only you but also your family and your enterprise.

In many regions within the United States and globally, long-term agricultural water availability continues to be a rapidly rising concern.

While a chatbot that uses others’ writing to build responses is novel, we wondered what it might think about being used in irrigation.

In this article, we delve into how automation can improve precision in an irrigation event, highlighting its importance in optimizing agricultural processes.

Over the years, farmers have improved yield per acre by planting higher-producing varieties and improving farming practices.

Irrigation systems play a critical role in crop growth and yield, and upgrading them can significantly improve efficiency.

By using irrigation scheduling applications, producers can make informed decisions leading to higher yields with fewer irrigation inputs.

We really only have to answer two basic questions, “When do I irrigate?” and “How long do I irrigate for?”

Irrigation professionals have the opportunity to share the importance of efficient irrigation practices through Smart Irrigation Month.

When you are looking to apply for assistance through EQIP, there are many things to consider and questions to ask once you get there.

Our longtime economy columnist George Oamek has found the right season in his life to take things a little more slowly.

The two most common terms and their formulas are irrigation efficiency and distribution uniformity, expressed as a value between 0.0 and 1.0.

Industry advocates representing a wide range of companies gathered in Washington, D.C., for the 2023 Irrigation Association Fly-In.

During Summer 2023, much of the western and central United States continued to experience a remarkable recovery from long-term drought.

The initial price is the result of previous leasing pilot programs in the Upper Colorado Basin that converged near $150 per acre-foot.

Sand media filters can be used to clean water used in agricultural irrigation, but it’s important to be able to use them correctly.

Agriculture holds the key to capturing vast amounts of atmospheric carbon, and irrigated agriculture pumps that effort into high gear.

In mid-February, the IA had the opportunity to present some key priorities of the association regarding the farm bill in front of lawmakers.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, national drought coverage declined from 63% to 38% between Oct. 25, 2022, and Feb. 28, 2023.

The Internet of Things is set to push the future of farming to the next level through smart agriculture techniques.

Recently, I was able to travel out to Tulare, California, to visit World Ag Expo 2023.

Innovation Row is a part of the Irrigation Show and Education Week that features ag startup irrigation technology companies.