Centre pivots
Researchers use working farms to test
Innovative Water Management Technologies
I mproving irrigation efficiency without compromising
yields is the goal of a new research initiative currently underway in the state of Kansas , United States of America .
Established as part of the Long- Term Vision for the Future of Water Supply in Kansas ( Water Vision ), three demonstration farms are providing researchers with an opportunity to study different kinds of irrigation technology on a farm-sized scale .
On the Water Technology Farm located in Finney County , Kansas , researchers are testing technologies on a Zimmatic by Lindsay centre pivot . Commonly used on row crops and vegetables , centre pivots have sprinkler heads that can be lowered to just centimeters above the tops of plants – minimizing water loss from evaporation and wind drift . Pivot irrigation is more water and labor efficient than flood irrigation , typically resulting in :
--Up to 75 percent labor savings --Up to 45 percent less water use
--Energy savings of more than 33 percent
--Fewer pumping hours – extending pump life
--More even application for up to 50 percent higher yields
--Less runoff for fertilizer and chemical savings
“ We are working closely with the landowner , the Garden City Company and the grower , Dwane Roth ,” said Rod Stillwell of American Irrigation , a Zimmatic dealer in Garden City , Kansas . “ We are testing several available products on the same Zimmatic pivot , using different spans for different options , so that we have the same soil types , crop variety , water quality , fertilizer and chemicals , GPA applied and a more equal growing environment .”
Remote management
Among the technologies integrated into the farm ’ s irrigation system is FieldNET™ by Lindsay Pivot Control , an irrigation controller designed to upgrade almost any existing brand of pivot to remote management – giving the grower the ability to monitor and control the irrigation system from a smartphone , tablet or computer .
Unlike other remote irrigation products , Pivot Control mounts at the pivot point and combines GPS at the end of the pivot for increased precision and greater flexibility . Growers can operate their pivot in the field at the control box or remotely using FieldNET – both elements update together , minimizing the chance for user error . With Pivot Control , growers can control their pivots and equipment , including pumps , injectors , flow , soil moisture , rainfall , temperature and other devices in the future .
“ Pivot Control delivers real time information and enhanced management tools ,” Stillwell said . “ It also provides up-to-the-minute alerts via text message or email
– immediately notifying growers if there are any performance issues .”
Stillwell ’ s team also installed a Growsmart™ Magnetic Flow Meter to provide flow rate and water usage and a weather station that sends data directly to the FieldNET network .
Stillwell said they are further testing two types of Bubbler nozzles , both manufactured by Senninger Irrigation , Inc . – the LDN UP3 Bubbler Pad and the LDN UP3 Shroud .
The Bubbler Pad deposits the water directly below the nozzle between each row of corn . They are spaced at 76cm and are 30cm above the ground . The Bubbler Shroud makes a wider bubble . They are spaced at 152 cm with a 45cm ground clearance .
“ Both Bubblers place the water gently to the soil ,” Stillwell said . “ Unlike standard spray nozzles , they do not splash water off the crops ’ leaves and stalks , minimizing wind-drift and evaporation losses . Both also have a spray pad that can easily be turned over for germination purposes .”
When compared to other options , the Bubblers are more cost-effective and require less maintenance . And , because they operate at low pressures , they also save energy .
Bubbler nozzles
Stillwell added that with Bubbler nozzles , there are virtually no wheel tracks , which reduces wear and tear on irrigation and farm equipment .
Field days were held during the growing season at all three Water Technology Farms , giving growers and opportunity to see how the various technologies worked .
“ When farmers can see how this is applied on the level of a full circle , not just a few rows of a demonstration plot , it means a lot more to them ,” said Jonathan Aguilar , one of the water specialists at Kansas State University who conducted the research during the 2016 growing season . “ This is how the technology works over an entire field .”
Plentiful rainfall in 2016 made it difficult to determine how much impact was due to irrigation practices and how much was because of the weather . He said the research will be repeated next year , and if there ’ s normal rainfall or less , there could be measurable differences .
Stillwell added that his team will be continue to be involved in the project next year and beyond .
“ The team at American Irrigation is very committed to prolonging the future of the Ogallala Aquifer that supplies water to Southwest Kansas and several other states ,” Stillwell said . “ This is an ongoing program that will continue into the coming years with diverse technologies being tested on more systems .”
For more information about new water saving technologies , visit www . lindsayafricagb . com
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SABI | FEBRUARY / MARCH 2017