New online tool uses data to improve irrigation and crop management
Researchers at Lethbridge Polytechnic have introduced Irrimap, a new web-based tool designed to help farmers, agronomists, and researchers better understand crop water use. The platform measures evapotranspiration (ET), which combines evaporation from soil and water surfaces with transpiration from plants.
Understanding ET is important because it helps determine soil moisture levels and provides valuable information for irrigation planning. By using this data, producers can make informed decisions about when and how much water to apply to their crops, leading to improved water management and farm efficiency.
“Evapotranspiration is a major component of the water cycle, part evaporation which is a physical process and part transpiration which is when plants emit water vapour from their leaves as they photosynthesize.” said Dr. Michael Kehoe, research scientist, Mueller Irrigation Research Group. “Measuring ET is important to determine soil moisture levels, giving producers, agronomists and researchers the information they need to make decisions on irrigation duration, amounts and more.”
Irrimap uses publicly available data to calculate ET across different agricultural areas, ranging from small fields to larger farm sections. The information is presented in a simple and easy-to-understand format that can be accessed from smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other digital devices.
The project was developed by the Mueller Irrigation Research Group at Lethbridge Polytechnic with support from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture through the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership. The goal is to provide practical tools that support modern farming and data-driven decision-making.
As precision agriculture continues to grow, farmers are looking for ways to improve productivity while managing rising input costs. Tools such as Irrimap can support variable rate irrigation and other advanced farming practices by providing reliable information on crop water requirements. This can help optimize crop growth while reducing unnecessary resource use.
The technology is also expected to contribute to future agricultural innovations. Researchers believe the data generated through Irrimap can support the development of additional tools focused on crop input management and production efficiency. These advancements may help farmers reduce risk and improve yields through more accurate planning.
“The importance and value of precision agriculture is growing as input costs increase, driving down margins for producers,” said Dr. Willemijn Appels senior research chair, Mueller Irrigation Research Group. “Irrimap is an important tool that can be used to optimize growth and crop potential through variable rate irrigation and other precision, data-based technologies.”
The platform was developed with contributions from research assistants and students, highlighting the role of education and innovation in advancing agricultural technology. By combining research, practical farming needs, and accessible technology, Irrimap offers valuable resources for the agricultural industry.
Available for public use, Irrimap gives producers an easy way to access important crop water information and make better-informed farm management decisions. Its launch represents another step forward in the adoption of precision agriculture and sustainable farming practices.
Photo Credit: Lethbridge Polytechnic