If you are a Nebraska field crop producer who irrigates, you probably have a preferred method of determining when to turn the pumps on. For most with an occupation not related to farming, their guess as to when to water a crop would be pure speculation. Both groups appreciate two of the resources it takes to accomplish the task: water and energy. But the latter may not recognize how large the value of each is and how irrigation moisture sensors help producers optimize that value.
According to the University of Nebraska, about 74% of the corn grown in the state is irrigated. Without irrigation, producers are at the mercy of the weather and adequate rainfall throughout the growing season. If one would go from the southeast corner of the state to the northwest corner, average annual rainfall decreases by about one inch for every 23 miles traveled. On a statewide basis, being able to water increases corn yields by more than 36%.
But that increase comes at a cost and requires irrigation management tools, including moisture sensors, which are necessary to maximize profits and minimize costs. Obviously, not applying the right amount of water at the right time will decrease yields. But overwatering can cause runoff of topsoil, leech fertilizer, suffocate plant roots and waste energy required to operate the irrigation system. Approximately 90% of irrigation in the state is done through center pivots. On average, putting another inch of water on a field will equate to between $500 and $2,000 in energy costs depending on a variety of factors.
Moisture sensors, used in conjunction with a water management system, help take the guesswork out of irrigation. They provide a precise measurement of the amount of water in the soil at various depths, allowing for targeted watering based on actual plant needs. Most sensor manufacturers pair their probes with water management software that automates the process of determining how much to water and when. Benefits include:
Water Conservation
By monitoring soil moisture levels, irrigation systems can be activated only when necessary, preventing unnecessary watering and saving significant amounts of water.
Improved Plant Health
Precise irrigation based on real-time soil moisture data ensures plants receive the optimal amount of water, leading to healthier growth and better yields.
Data-Driven Decision Making
Moisture sensors provide valuable information about soil conditions, allowing producers to make informed irrigation decisions based on actual data rather than guesswork.
Adaptability to Different Soil Types
Sensors can be calibrated to account for varying soil textures and moisture-holding capacities, ensuring accurate readings across different growing environments.
Historical Data
Moisture sensors supported by software-based water management programs provide invaluable trend and historical soil moisture data, enabling producers to identify the best irrigation schedules, adjust irrigation strategies based on crop growth stages and quickly respond to weather changes.
Local utilities are helping qualified crop producers optimize their irrigation practices. By providing an EnergyWiseSM incentive to defray the cost of implementing irrigation moisture sensors, they help customers reduce farming costs, conserve water, optimize production and save energy. To find additional information about this and other energy-saving opportunities, contact your local utility.