Smart irrigation takes on new meaning in 2021

It’s July, and for many areas of the country it is the hottest, driest time of the year. This has been compounded in the Western part of the country. During the spring and early summer, 98% of California was experiencing drought conditions and 75% of the state was in extreme drought. In the Western states, that condition extended to about 53% of the region.

As drought creeps across the country, it amplifies the importance of efficient water use in irrigation. It couldn’t be more appropriate that July is Smart Irrigation Month, the Irrigation Association’s initiative to promote the social, economic and environmental benefits of efficient irrigation technologies, products and services in agricultural, landscape and turf irrigation. This year’s theme — Smart irrigation. Sustainable solutions. — reinforces the role that smart irrigation practices can have in providing solutions to our global long-term challenges.

As drought creeps across the country, it amplifies the importance of efficient water use in irrigation.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service 2018 Irrigation and Water Management survey, 55.9 million acres of agricultural land are irrigated in the United States. With the task of producing more and more food, while being responsible stewards of this important natural resource, efficient ways to irrigate crops becomes a vital conversation in the industry.

Irrigation Today joins with the IA in recognizing Smart Irrigation Month throughout July. This issue focuses on technology advancements designed to help growers make better decisions related to irrigation and to deliver water to their crops in a more precise way, accurately providing irrigation when and where it is needed, without over- or under-watering.

The IA offers numerous other resources on its website about Smart Irrigation Month and efficient irrigation. Go to www.smartirrigationmonth.org to learn more about how you can join in this initiative to promote the value of irrigated agriculture and the importance smart irrigation has in global food production.

Irrigation Today Editor-in-Chief

If you have comments, suggestions or an idea for what you would like to see covered in a future issue, please feel free to contact me at anneblankenbiller@irrigation.org.