Water Management & Conservation
Part of Water, Environment, and Climate
What Are Fertigation & Irrigation Systems?
Irrigation systems deliver supplemental water to crops during dry periods. Fertigation combines fertilizer or liquid manure application with irrigation, delivering nutrients directly to the root zone. These systems enable consistent production regardless of rainfall patterns.
Why Irrigation Matters
Water is often the limiting factor for crop production. Irrigation removes weather dependency, enabling higher and more consistent yields. For dairy farms dependent on homegrown forages, irrigation can be the difference between feed surplus and feed deficit in dry years.
Key Benefits
- Yield assurance: Consistent production regardless of rainfall
- Higher yields: Adequate water maximizes genetic potential
- Quality improvement: Stress-free crops produce better feed
- Nutrient efficiency: Fertigation delivers nutrients precisely
- Manure utilization: Inject liquid manure through irrigation
Irrigation System Types
Center Pivot
Most common system for field crops. Towers rotate around a fixed point, covering circular areas. Efficient and highly automated.
Linear/Lateral Move
Similar to pivots but travel in straight lines. Cover rectangular fields but require guidance systems.
Traveling Gun
Portable systems pulled across fields. Lower cost but higher labor and less efficient.
Drip/Surface
Delivers water directly to plants. Very efficient but typically limited to specialty crops.
Fertigation Considerations
- Manure injection: Apply liquid manure through pivot systems
- Nitrogen application: Spoon-feed nitrogen through the season
- Equipment compatibility: Systems must handle manure particles
- Uniformity: Even distribution across the field
Do You Need Irrigation?
Consider irrigation if:
- Rainfall is inadequate or unreliable in your area
- Forage production varies significantly with weather
- You want to maximize yields on limited acreage
- Water sources (wells, ponds) are available
- Manure volume exceeds rain-fed application capacity
Cost Considerations
Center pivot systems cost $500-1,500/acre for equipment. Installation and water development add to costs. Operating costs include energy, maintenance, and labor. ROI depends on yield improvement value versus system costs. Many areas offer cost-share for irrigation efficiency improvements.