Precision IrrigationPrecision Irrigation

By : Matthew GassenBy : Matthew Gassen

BAE 4213BAE 4213

Irrigation in the USIrrigation in the US

55.3 million acres irrigated in 200255.3 million acres irrigated in 2002 Application rate has decreasedApplication rate has decreased 160 million acre-feet of water withdrawn160 million acre-feet of water withdrawn

Sources of irrigationSources of irrigation

Ground WaterGround Water 41% withdrawals at 32 million acres41% withdrawals at 32 million acres Increased from 37% in 1960Increased from 37% in 1960

Surface WaterSurface Water 59% of withdrawals59% of withdrawals

Groundwater flow times usgs cir1139

Cost of IrrigationCost of Irrigation

Range from $7/acre in MD, $92/acre in Range from $7/acre in MD, $92/acre in AZ, $79/acre in CA, and $175/acre in HIAZ, $79/acre in CA, and $175/acre in HI

US average $40/acreUS average $40/acre Total of $1.2 billionTotal of $1.2 billion

DLJ Multi-Jet Water Meter

Types of IrrigationTypes of Irrigation

Flood (furrow) irrigationFlood (furrow) irrigation Center Pivot Irrigation (CPI)Center Pivot Irrigation (CPI) Linear-move Linear-move

(side roll, wheel line)irrigation(side roll, wheel line)irrigation Drip microirrigation Drip microirrigation Sprinkler and GravitySprinkler and Gravity

Jisl: dripperwithdrop

UNL extension

USDA natural resources conservation service

USDA natural resources conservation service

Constant before VariableConstant before Variable

Constant water rate before variableConstant water rate before variable Raise efficiency of systemRaise efficiency of system

Linear move covers 30% more of field than Linear move covers 30% more of field than CPICPI

Low Energy Precision Application (LEPA)Low Energy Precision Application (LEPA)• 90% of water used by crop compared to 35%90% of water used by crop compared to 35%

USDA natural resources conservation service

SchedulingScheduling

Checkbook methodCheckbook method Soil moistureSoil moisture Input = output based on precipitation, and Input = output based on precipitation, and

evaporationevaporation Crop moisture requirementsCrop moisture requirements

Variable Rate Based on TempVariable Rate Based on Temp

SensorsSensors Infrared Thermo-Couples (IRT) Red Band Wave (RED) Near Infrared Band (NIR)

Remote: Satellites, and AircraftRemote: Satellites, and Aircraft Real time: handheld or on systemReal time: handheld or on system

Variable rate based on locationVariable rate based on location

Soil typeSoil type TopographyTopography Field shapeField shape Mulitple cropsMulitple crops Irregularly shaped fieldsIrregularly shaped fields All linked to GPSAll linked to GPS

The groundwater foundation

Questions??Questions??