Embrace the future

As the calendar flips to July, the irrigation industry celebrates Smart Irrigation Month, a time dedicated to promoting efficient water use through innovative technology. This month serves as a reminder for growers to evaluate and adopt irrigation technologies that can conserve water and improve overall farm management. With so many advanced irrigation solutions available today, deciding which technology suits your farm can be daunting.

The rise of smart irrigation technology

Smart irrigation technology is changing the way water is managed on farms. These systems use sensors, weather data and automated controls to optimize water usage, ensuring that crops receive the right amount of water at the right time. Growing concerns over water scarcity due to climate change, population growth and increased agricultural demands have heightened the need for efficient water use. Smart irrigation technology helps conserve water by optimizing irrigation schedules based on real-time data.

Water scarcity is one of many reasons for the growth in smart irrigation technology. Cost savings are significant for labor and pumping costs. Growers are seeing increased crop yields and reductions in runoff and soil erosion.

Selecting the appropriate irrigation technology involves considering several factors specific to your farm. Here’s a step-by-step approach to help you make an informed decision.

Start with pain points

Some of the pain points growers are experiencing with water and irrigation include water costs, labor intensity, inefficient water use, soil variability, regulatory compliance, data management and energy costs. There is no shortage of challenges growers face. Addressing these obstacles through technology can lead to more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable farming practices, ultimately improving crop yields and grower profitability.

For example, automation alleviates some of the labor-intensive aspects of irrigation by utilizing advanced technology. Automated systems with sensors, timers and control units can accurately measure soil moisture, weather conditions and crop water needs in real time. This eliminates manual monitoring and adjustments, allowing growers to focus on other critical aspects of farm management. Automated irrigation systems can be programmed to deliver the precise amount of water at the optimal time, reducing the need for constant supervision and laborious manual intervention. Irrigation systems can provide detailed insights and predictive analytics, enabling proactive management of water resources. Technological integration enhances decision-making, leading to more consistent and reliable irrigation practices.

Imagine the water savings from just the most basic remote monitoring and control use. The hours saved or eliminated with the ability to remotely control a single center pivot or groups of center pivots during weather events like wind or rain. There is no need to jump in the pickup and visit every pivot on your farm.

Build on existing foundations

Depending on your starting point, certain technologies may offer built-in advantages. For example, if you receive funding from programs like those available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, you might be required to implement soil moisture probes and pressure sensors. These tools meet funding requirements and provide valuable data and additional benefits.

Think of smart irrigation as a modular system where you select the components you need to construct your ideal solution.

Think of smart irrigation as a modular system where you select the components you need to construct your ideal solution. Each grower’s requirements are unique, and the versatility of smart irrigation enables you to tailor your approach to suit your specific needs.
One common entry point for many growers is satellite technology. Because it provides valuable data without requiring hardware installation in the field, it can be a lower-risk investment.

Combine technologies for maximum benefit

While starting with satellite technology can be beneficial, combining it with other monitoring tools can provide even greater insights. For example, using soil moisture probes alongside satellite data can offer a more comprehensive view of your irrigation needs, ensuring precision and efficiency. Growers receive a broad view from the satellite and precise, on-the-ground data from the probes.

A typical hose-end nozzle flows at 5 gallons per minute. A typical sports field zone flows at 105 gallons per minute. A typical center pivot flows at 800 gallons per minute. If we can reduce an annual watering schedule by a minute each day, it significantly impacts the world’s water consumption.

Smart watering reduces consumption by considering rainfall, watering only to the depth of the plant’s roots, watering only when soil moisture is depleted, timing the watering to avoid runoff and not watering when it is raining, gusting or freezing. Today, smart watering controllers cover many applications, from hose faucets to residential and commercial landscape zones to sports fields and farms. The installation times for these controllers range from a few minutes to a few hours and require only moderate levels of skill, which means that the technology can be deployed very fast everywhere in the world.

As you integrate monitoring technologies, consider expanding to full automation to maximize efficiency. Full automation involves monitoring water consumption and system efficiency and enhancing application efficiency. This can include using probes, weather stations and tank sensors to track chemical usage and automatically reorder supplies. Growers leverage their initial investment to achieve comprehensive, real-time irrigation management.

Avoid pitfalls in smart irrigation technology

The most common mistakes are not making crews aware of the hardware in the field and not preparing farming infrastructure for automation. Protecting equipment from damage and ensuring your irrigation system is ready for automation are crucial steps.

When placing devices in the field, choose locations that reduce the risk of damage from tractors, implements and wildlife. Simple measures like using chicken wire or building small cages can protect your equipment.

We cannot achieve optimum water conservation if we do not grow the plants and crops that are suited to the water supply and demand of the area where they are grown. How much impact can the combination of smart control, precision technology and the right plant choices have in the real world?

Richard Restuccia is a senior vice president with Husqvarna, Stockholm, Sweden. He is a former Irrigation Association Board member.