#SmartIrrigationMonth
July is #SmartIrrigationMonth! Follow along this month as we spread the word, and share the benefits of smart irrigation scheduling and so much more!
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXPERTS
Phillip Edwards
UGA Cooperative Extension Southwest District Area Water Agent
2360 Rainwater Road
Tifton, GA 31793-5766
What is irrigation scheduling?
Irrigation scheduling is using one of many methods (water balance, soil moisture monitoring, computer models, and more) to apply the most efficient amount of water at the most appropriate time for optimal production.
The benefits of smart irrigation, specifically irrigation scheduling.
The benefit of smart irrigation and irrigation scheduling is to know what the crop water requirement is and meet that need with irrigation when it occurs to maintain yield potential. Additionally and importantly, if the water requirement is met then irrigation will not be needed. Smart irrigation also has the goal of increasing irrigation water use efficiency by applying the right amount of water at the right time.
We would also like to visually show the benefits of irrigation scheduling. Would you be able to provide an infographic or data on improved crop yields and reduced water use?
2020 UGA IMPACT STATEMENT Increasing Water Use Efficiency and Precision Agriculture Adoption in Georgia – Wes Porter
Irrigation scheduling and technology adoption in agriculture are critical issues in increasing the level of productiveness, profitability, and crop yields. The goal of a UGA Extension program in crop and soil science is to promote sustainable agriculture practices by educating producers on which technologies best fit their operations and how to properly implement irrigation scheduling techniques, precision agriculture tools, and technological advances into their production practices to maximize the effectiveness of adoption. The implementation of advanced tools, technologies, and practices has been shown to not only increase crop yields but to provide the opportunity for increasing on-farm profitability. There are about 800,000 total acres of peanuts planted in Georgia. So, if 50 percent of these are irrigated, the concept of scheduled irrigation has a potential impact of $100 million in a dry year and $40 million in a wet year. Cotton is very similar to peanuts, and the studies at UGA have shown that in wet years using irrigation strategies in cotton has the potential to increase yield by 10 percent while reducing water use by 75 percent. These numbers can be directly translated to around $200 per acre savings and increased profitability for the producer, which translates to a $120 million impact on the state.