Principles of Efficient Agricultural Irrigation


IA releases document outlining efficient irrigation principles By Elizabeth McCartney


The Irrigation Association takes its mission of promoting efficient irrigation seriously and is continually developing ways to provide valuable information to those in the industry. Whether it is information and research about new irrigation technologies or best practices designed to improve water-use efficiency, the IA prioritizes providing information to growers and producers as they work to irrigate more efficiently.


With this segment of the industry in mind, the IA recently released a new document called Principles of Efficient Agricultural Irrigation. The document outlines nine key principles that growers should follow to most efficiently use water when irrigating.


Why create this document?


Efficient agricultural irrigation needs to play a more dominant role as our world changes. Its impact reaches beyond controlling a farmer’s costs to a more global and long-term purpose.


As the world population continues to grow, irrigated agriculture will be an increasingly important contributor to meeting demands for food, feed, fuel and fiber. Meeting this demand must be balanced with the available water supply needed for human well-being and protecting the environment. Efficient irrigation is an integral part of meeting these future challenges.


Irrigated agriculture is incredibly efficient, producing about half of the total value of crop sales while comprising only 17 percent of U.S. cropland. However, irrigated agriculture also represents the largest share of consumptive water use in the nation. Balancing the value of irrigated agriculture


with the need to be more conscious of water use is the driving force behind efficient agricultural irrigation — and a primary reason the IA has created these principles.


Nine key concepts


The Principles of Efficient Agricultural Irrigation provides information about various methods of irrigation, irrigation scheduling and the makeup of irrigated agriculture in the United States. The following ideas are the nine key concepts identified for growers and producers to follow to attain the most efficient use of water:


1. Use qualified professionals to plan and help manage irrigation systems.


2. Know and protect the water supply and the environment.


3. Identify the soil type and its soil water characteristics to manage the water supply.


4. Understand crop water needs to know when and how much water should be applied.


5. Select appropriate irrigation methods that will efficiently deliver water to the crop.


6. Plan and implement irrigation scheduling to use water efficiently.


7. Adopt and apply innovative technology to improve water management.


8. Maintain accurate records to facilitate better decisions on crop inputs.


9. Anticipate water shortages and have planned strategies to respond.


Details and explanations about each of these principles are provided in the document, as well as examples and ideas for implementation.


Elizabeth McCartney is the senior policy and advocacy manager at the Irrigation Association.


Taking the message to the Hill


Recently, the IA debuted this new document on Capitol Hill. IA Industry Development Director Brent Mecham, CID, CLWM, CIC, CLIA, CAIS, had the opportunity to speak about the Principles of Efficient Agricultural Irrigation at a congressional briefing hosted by the U.S. Geological Survey.


During his presentation, Mecham discussed the role of science in irrigation and how developments in science and irrigation technology provide growers the tools necessary to put efficient irrigation into practice. He highlighted the new Principles of Efficient Agricultural Irrigation as an example of the potential for technology use in agriculture.


The IA hopes growers, producers and other irrigation professionals will find this document useful and put its concepts into practice to irrigate more efficiently. The Principles of Efficient Agricultural Irrigation full document and a summary are available at no cost and can be downloaded from the IA website at www.irrigation.org/peai.


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