Concrete-lined Ditches

Lining conveyance channels with concrete:

• Significantly reduces seepage losses
• Prevents water logging of surrounding land
• Maintains water quality
• Reduces erosion

Laser Technology to Grade Land

Grading the land to slope specific to soil type and field layout with assistance from laser guided  technology:

• Improves uniform application of irrigation water
• Minimizes or eliminates losses caused by tailwater run off
• Minimizes percolation of water past the crop root zone
• Minimizes erosion

Level Basin Irrigation

Level basin irrigation systems are small field units (5-10 acres) comprised of level, closed basins. Level basins:

• Improve uniform application of irrigation water
• Eliminate losses caused by tail water run off
• Minimize percolation of water past the crop root zone
• Minimize erosion

The efficient use of irrigation sprinklers to meet the water demands of a crop:

• Improves distribution uniformity of irrigation water

• Prevents excessive runoff and percolation of water past the crop root zone

• Increases efficiency of fertilizer applications

• Minimizes erosion

Drip or Trickle Irrigation

Drip irrigation systems use many low volume, low pressure water emitters to deliver water to a precise location.  The use of above or below-ground drip irrigation systems to meet the water demands of a crop:

• Improves distribution uniformity of irrigation water

• Minimizes percolation of water past the crop root zone

• Helps maintain soil nutrients within the crop root zone

• Reduces erosion

• Reduces water loss due to soil evaporation

Tailwater Re-use System

Tailwater is water that did not percolate into the soil before reaching the end of the field during an irrigation run.  Collecting irrigation water that leaves its original targeted location and reusing it:

• Increases irrigation efficiency

• Reduces water loss

• Maintains water quality

• Reduces erosion

Crop Rotations

Planting different crops in recurring succession in the same field:

• Increases water holding capacity of the soil
• Increases irrigation water infiltration rates
• Improves crop quality and yield by increasing nutrients and organic matter

• Reduces soil erosion

• Improves water quality

Soil and Water Analysis

The laboratory analyses of soil and water for nutrient content:

• Provides vital information to help maintain or improve favorable physical soil conditions

• Increases crop quality and yield

• Improves water quality

• Improves fertilization efficiency

Flow Rate Measurement

Determining the quantity of water being delivered to an irrigation site:

• Provides information critical to making management decisions

• Helps prevent excessive runoff and percolation of water past the crop root zone

• Improves irrigation efficiency

• Reduces soil erosion

Bed and Furrow Shaping

Manipulating the shape and surface condition of the plant beds and the furrows between the beds:

• Provides for more consistent irrigation runs for furrows

• Increases irrigation efficiency

• Reduces runoff and percolation of water past the crop root zone

• Promotes favorable physical soil conditions

• Improves crop quality and yield

• Reduces soil erosion

Irrigation Scheduling

Using real-time weather sensing and soil and crop analysis technology to determine a schedule for irrigation:

• Improves ability to manage soil moisture

• Increases irrigation efficiency

• Improves crop quality and yield

• Prevents excessive runoff and percolation of water past the crop root zone

• Promotes favorable physical soil conditions

• Increases efficiency of fertilizer applications