Irrigation for row crops is an essential agronomic and risk management tool for Alabama growers. Like any other piece of equipment on the farm, irrigation systems must operate as efficiently as possible. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is offering the state’s row crop producers a tool to help determine if their irrigation systems are operating as designed and as efficiently as possible.

Assessing Center Pivot Irrigation

What systems are good candidates for this assessment? Any center pivot irrigation system—both old and new—can be checked to determine if any issues exist and where they are located. These assessments help determine if a system is applying the correct amount of water uniformly to the field. Many producers are making crop protectant and fertilizer applications through irrigation systems. If water is not being applied at the correct rate or not uniformly, over or under application of these products will occur. Assessments can be made at any time during the growing season if there is an opening in the crop canopy that allows the unobstructed flow of irrigation water to an open top container on the ground.

Efficient irrigation management provides numerous benefits, including saving fresh water and energy, reducing nutrient leaching, increasing crop yield and grain quality, and maximizing return on investments. Irrigation that is managed properly can significantly increase yield over dryland farming, which ensures a return on these investments. Additionally, irrigation systems can be used to incorporate fertilizers and pesticides, allowing for the application of these products when required by the crop, thus proving to be environmentally sustainable as well as economically beneficial.

These assessments can be done free of charge for all Alabama row crop producers through project funding from the Alabama Wheat and Feed Grain Producers. This initiative is part of a broader effort to support sustainable agriculture in Alabama, ensuring that farmers have access to the tools and resources they need to optimize their irrigation practices and improve their overall productivity. For more information, contact row crops Extension agent, Aaron Wells at (334) 379-4355 or atw0072@auburn.edu.