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Irrigation Scheduling

alternative practice names:

Adjusting Irrigation Frequency and Timing; Irrigation Water Management (IWM); Precision Irrigation

Irrigation water management (IWM) is the act of timing and regulating irrigation water application to satisfy the crop's water requirement without wasting water. This involves applying water according to crop needs in amounts that can be held in the soil and be available to crops. A farmer's ability to set an irrigation schedule depends on their water source and the regulations of their irrigation district. Common methods for determining irrigation timing include assessing crop condition and soil moisture and following calendar-based schedules. More advanced techniques include:


  • Soil moisture sensors: Sensors buried in the soil monitor soil moisture content. Farmers can use this real-time information to inform irrigation decisions. Soil moisture sensors are particularly valuable in sandy or loamy soils that drain quickly. These tools help precisely manage irrigation schedules and amounts.

  • Water budget approach informed by local forecast: Weather-based irrigation controllers are useful in regions with variable climatic conditions. Climatic parameters: temperature, radiation, wind, humidity
    and expected rainfall, depending on the model used to predict evapotranspiration for different crops.

  • Satellite imagery/evapotranspiration (ET) monitoring: Professional services provide daily estimates of water consumption, which various crops and farms can use to estimate crop water use and demand.

When used, in what regions in the U.S. is the practice found: 

West, Southwest, Northwest

FARM SIZE 

When used, typically found on farms of the following sizes:

Over 500 cows

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Practice Benefits 

Reduced water use: By precisely controlling how much water is applied and when, farmers can lower their water delivery fees and reduce the energy costs associated with pumping. This contributes to lowering crop production costs by optimizing resource use.


Improved plant health: An optimized irrigation schedule helps prevent both under- and over-watering, which are common causes of plant stress. By ensuring that crops receive the right amount of water at the right time, farmers can promote healthier plants, leading to better growth, higher yields, and reduced risk of disease.

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Implementation Insights

Site-specific or Farm-specific requirements 

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  • Continuous water availability: Farmers who rely on irrigation districts often receive water at predetermined intervals, which limits their ability to use precise irrigation scheduling. Since they cannot control the timing of water deliveries, they may have to adapt their irrigation practices to fit the district's schedule, making it challenging to reduce water use effectively through scheduling.

  • Compatible with advanced irrigation systems: To maximize water savings through scheduling based on real-time crop water demand, farms need irrigation systems that allow for precise water application. Systems like sprinklers or subsurface drip irrigation are well-suited for this purpose, as they enable farmers to deliver water exactly when and where it's needed, reducing waste and improving efficiency.

Required Capital Expenditures (CapEx)

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  • Sensors and monitoring equipment: Purchasing soil moisture sensors, weather stations, evapotranspiration (ET) gauges, or other environmental monitoring tools can be a significant initial investment. 

  • Irrigation system upgrade: Farms may need to upgrade or install new irrigation infrastructure to enable precise water application in accordance with the scheduling plan. This can involve significant costs for equipment like pumps, valves, pipes, and controllers.

  • Automation and control systems: To fully leverage irrigation scheduling, automated systems that control water applications based on sensor data may need to be installed. These systems often include central controllers, actuators, and software, which can represent a large portion of capital investment.

  • Water storage or conveyance systems: Some farms may need to invest in additional water storage tanks, reservoirs, or conveyance systems to ensure consistent water availability in line with the irrigation schedule, especially if dependent on fluctuating water supplies.

Required Operational Expenditures (OpEx)

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  • Data collection tools: It is important to evaluate costs related to soil moisture sensors, weather stations, or evapotranspiration (ET) data subscription services. These tools need regular maintenance, calibration, and occasional replacement to ensure accuracy.

  • Labor costs: Monitoring the data from sensors, weather reports, and crop conditions requires time and expertise, which can add to labor expenses if dedicated staff are involved in managing the irrigation schedule.

  • Software and technology: Many farms use software to automate irrigation scheduling, which often comes with subscription fees. This software can integrate sensor data, weather forecasts, and crop models, but it involves an ongoing investment to maintain licenses and updates.

Implementation Considerations

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  • Soil sensor management: Commercial soil moisture sensors available to farmers are only generally 60-70% accurate. In addition, sensors need to be removed before tillage and planting; the removal of sensors in the hard ground can take up to an hour each, and they often break. In addition, real-time systems can be difficult to set up, and the data may not be easy to interpret.

  • Data and resource requirements: Scientific irrigation scheduling methods often require significant amounts of data, such as soil moisture levels, weather forecasts, and crop-specific information. Collecting and managing this data demands time, labor, and financial investment, which can deter farmers from adopting these methods.

  • Technological complexity: Many irrigation scheduling tools, including crop models and soil water balance systems, are perceived as too complex or difficult to use without technical support. This limits their practical adoption, especially among smaller-scale farmers who may lack access to such expertise.

  • Inconsistent weather and precipitation data: Inaccurate or insufficient weather data, particularly for precipitation, can reduce the effectiveness of scheduling models. Variability in precipitation makes it challenging to optimize water use, particularly in regions with limited weather station networks.

Financial Considerations and Revenue Streams

FEDERAL COST-SHARE PROGRAM

Funding is available for this practice through USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).

Notes:

  • Check with the local NRCS office on payment rates and practice requirements relevant to your location.

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Environmental Impacts

CONSERVES WATER

Irrigation scheduling helps reduce water use by optimizing both the timing and amount of water applied to crops based on real-time data like soil moisture levels and weather conditions. By preventing over-application of water and addressing plant needs more precisely, scheduling minimizes waste, conserves water, and enhances crop yield and quality.


See research highlights below:

  • Irrigation scheduling using calendars resulted in similar water use, losses, and yields compared to more precise real-time scheduling based on soil moisture depletion. While site-specific irrigation calendars can be generated by consultants or irrigators, even simple monthly estimates of daily water use can be helpful (Fessehazion et al., 2014). 

  • Taghvaeian et al. (2020) conducted a review of irrigation scheduling and determined that, while it offers significant potential for water conservation and improved crop yields, its adoption remains limited due to the complexity of the tools, the need for accurate data, and challenges in providing user-friendly, cost-effective solutions for farmers.

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Alignment with FARM Program

FARM Environmental Stewardship (ES) V2-V3 Alignment

The optional FARM ES Conservation Practice Questionnaire (CPQ) asks about irrigation stewardship methods including timing and amount according to relevant factors (e.g. plant stage, water availability, weather forecast, evapotranspiration, etc.)

Contents

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We're always eager to update the website with the latest research, implementation insights, financial case studies, and emerging practices. Use the link above to share your insights. 

We're always eager to update the website with the latest research, implementation insights, financial case studies, and emerging practices. Use the link above to share your insights. 

Contents

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Practice Overview

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Practical Insights.png
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Research Results.png
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Irrigation water management (IWM) is the act of timing and regulating irrigation water application to satisfy the crop's water requirement without wasting water. This involves applying water according to crop needs in amounts that can be held in the soil and be available to crops. A farmer's ability to set an irrigation schedule depends on their water source and the regulations of their irrigation district. Common methods for determining irrigation timing include assessing crop condition and soil moisture and following calendar-based schedules. More advanced techniques include:


  • Soil moisture sensors: Sensors buried in the soil monitor soil moisture content. Farmers can use this real-time information to inform irrigation decisions. Soil moisture sensors are particularly valuable in sandy or loamy soils that drain quickly. These tools help precisely manage irrigation schedules and amounts.

  • Water budget approach informed by local forecast: Weather-based irrigation controllers are useful in regions with variable climatic conditions. Climatic parameters: temperature, radiation, wind, humidity
    and expected rainfall, depending on the model used to predict evapotranspiration for different crops.

  • Satellite imagery/evapotranspiration (ET) monitoring: Professional services provide daily estimates of water consumption, which various crops and farms can use to estimate crop water use and demand.

Practices and technologies

Irrigation Scheduling

alternative practice name:

Adjusting Irrigation Frequency and Timing; Irrigation Water Management (IWM); Precision Irrigation