The global outlook is local

Open any global irrigation outlook and the themes are familiar: tighter water, volatile weather, higher costs and rising expectations for yield and quality. Those trends are real. In the pages ahead, we zero in on the levers that matter — verification, scheduling, maintenance and smart upgrades — through field-tested case studies, how-to guides and research insights you can use this season. But solutions don’t arrive as headlines; they show up farm by farm — in how systems are designed, maintained, scheduled and upgraded.

Start with performance you can prove. Before signing a purchase contract, confirm what your system delivers. Match nozzles to pressure, check regulators and filtration. Run uniformity and pump-efficiency tests. Closing the gap between “design” and “as-operated” saves water, energy, fertilizer and labor — and steadies yield as weather swings widen.

Use technology to manage risk. The tools that matter most put the right water in the right place at the right time: soil-moisture sensing, weather-based scheduling, telemetry on pivots and pumps, and variable-rate application. They reduce variability and losses from heat stress or overwatering — efficiency, cost control and crop quality in one move.

Turn research insights into routines. Extension trials and demos are generating real-world guidance on timing, deficit strategies and sensor thresholds. Fold those findings into checklists and protocols, document them and train everyone who touches the system.

Plan maintenance like a crop input. Uniformity and uptime are yield. Put audits, filter service and pressure checks on the calendar like planting and harvesting. Standardize parts and procedures to cut downtime and keep performance consistent.

Tell your story locally. Share results with your water district, co-op and community: acre-inches saved, kWh per acre-inch, yield stability in a dry year. Visible stewardship builds trust and strengthens support for federal, state and private-sector investment.

Invest in people. Controllers and sensors perform only when the people installing them are trained and qualified. Certifications such as those offered by the Irrigation Association — and ongoing education — help manage risk and protect your investment.

Global pressure isn’t going away. Practical steps — verified performance, risk-reducing tech, disciplined maintenance, clear communication and skilled people — shift the outlook where it counts: on the field you farm.

For more tools, research and grower-focused resources, explore irrigationtoday.org. It’s built to connect you with practical insights that work where it counts.

Natasha Rankin, MBA, CAE
Irrigation Association Chief Executive Officer

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 info@irrigation.org.