IRRIGATION SCHEDULING


The process of successful irrigation scheduling relies primarily on the ability to make accurate irrigation management decisions based on field- specific data.


While it is an inexpensive and proven tool for irrigation scheduling, the checkbook method can be very time-consuming, requiring almost daily updates, especially during critical growth periods.


Automated checkbook method


Cloud-based irrigation management technology eliminates the need for complex, manual calculations, delivering continuously updated, science-based irrigation recommendations that are customized for each field.


Using the proven, traditional checkbook method, along with validated crop growth models, as-applied irrigation data and hyper-local, field-specific weather data, the automated checkbook method can very quickly and clearly generate the information needed to help producers decide precisely when, where and how much to irrigate. No special math skills, hardware or agronomic background is required. The calculations are conducted by algorithmic models that produce an irrigation application recommendation the grower can then apply.


After entering the field’s crop type, hybrids and planting dates, the technology will allow growers to


• track the available soil water throughout the field by combining a soil map of the field, proprietary dynamic crop canopy and root growth models, hyper-local weather data and the applied irrigation history.


• forecast the crop’s future water needs and predict when and where, without additional irrigation, the yield will begin to decline due to water stress. It also estimates the amount of yield that would be lost to water stress, which varies based on the crop’s development state and the severity of the stress.


• create a high-resolution map showing the amount of water available to the crop across the entire field.


• automatically generate variable rate irrigation prescriptions, which are continuously updated and optimized to account for actual and forecasted weather, changing crop water requirements and as-applied irrigation.


Regardless of the method used, irrigation scheduling is an ongoing best practice that will produce results every season and create a more sustainable future.


22 Irrigation TODAY | Summer 2022


• integrate into irrigation remote monitoring and control platforms, giving growers the ability to immediately put their irrigation decisions into action and monitor their progress.


Automated irrigation scheduling technology can be combined with remote irrigation management tools in the field, which further enhances the efficiency of this method by allowing the grower to quickly apply the water application recommendations from virtually anywhere. Growers using the automated checkbook method have been able to increase their yields while reducing overwatering and the related input costs and nutrient losses. Growers who implement this method typically find that they are overwatering. Correcting this benefits farm output while also reducing water and energy consumption. While there is an annual subscription cost to using this method, no hardware or sensors are needed to generate the irrigation recommendations, which leads many users to believe the yield boost, combined with time and input savings, more than offsets the cost.


Regardless of the method used, irrigation scheduling is an ongoing best practice that will produce results every season and create a more sustainable future. In fact, the United States Department of Agriculture incentivizes growers to increase sustainability on their farms by offering subsidies for the implementation of water conservation practices and tools, including irrigation scheduling. More information for growers about the Environmental Quality Incentives Program can be found at nrcs.usda.gov. The best way a grower can get started exploring this funding for their operation is by directly contacting their local Natural Resource Conservation Service office, which can be located at offices.sc.egove.usda.gov.


Kiran Sharma is associate product  Corporation. She holds a M.S. degree in agricultural and biological engineering 


irrigationtoday.org


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40