Cargill and Goanna Ag pilot efficient irrigation program in Mississippi Delta cotton fields

Cargill, Minneapolis, Minnesota, has partnered with Australian company Goanna Ag, Lubbock, Texas, to pilot an irrigation efficiency project aimed at cotton farmers in the Mississippi Delta. The initiative introduces technology designed to optimize irrigation practices, helping farmers improve crop yields while reducing water usage and operational costs.  

This pilot program is initially available to a select group of cotton growers in Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi. 

“Major retail brands have set goals related to water and are increasingly looking to supply chain partners like Cargill for data-backed sustainability solutions,” says Matt Dunbar, managing director of Cargill’s cotton business. “This pilot project underscores Cargill’s commitment to helping our customers meet those ambitions to advance sustainable agriculture and water conservation. By integrating advanced irrigation technology, we aim to bolster the resilience of cotton farming in the Mississippi Delta while conserving one of our most precious resources — water.” 

The collaboration between Cargill and Goanna Ag utilizes Goanna Ag’s technology, which integrates field sensors, satellite imagery, weather forecasts and crop data to enable precise irrigation management. This approach is expected to enhance water-use efficiency. 

This pilot project is a part of Cargill’s broader commitment to sustainability and water conservation. According to Dunbar the project aligns with Cargill’s global water ambition, which aims to restore 600 billion liters of water and reduce 5,000 metric tons of water pollutants in water-stressed regions by 2030. The Mississippi Delta, which hosts the third-largest area of irrigated cropland in the U.S., has been experiencing significant declines in groundwater levels, making efficient water management critical for the region’s agricultural future. 

Participants in the pilot program will receive Goanna Ag’s technology along with personalized training to optimize irrigation scheduling based on their specific soil and crop conditions. By integrating these tools, the project seeks to bolster the resilience of cotton farming in the region, conserve water resources and support long-term sustainable agricultural practices.