When Is it Time to Start Irrigating?

Jul 02, 2015

Many soybean plants will soon be at the critical reproductive stage, when a crop can use a quarter-inch of water per day.

According to Mississippi State University Irrigation Specialist Jason Krutz, irrigation should begin at a pre-determined soil-moisture threshold, regardless of growth stage. By monitoring soil-moisture sensors to determine when your fields have reached the threshold, you’re helping ensure you don’t lose yield to drought stress during the critical R3 through R6 growth stages.

If you use furrow-irrigation, you can increase irrigation efficiency through the use of the PHAUCET/PipePlanner computer program. These programs help determine the best hole sizes to punch along the length of a polypipe irrigation set. The tool calculates these hole sizes based on pressure changes along the tubing, pipe diameter, the different row lengths along the polypipe set, and the elevation changes along the field where the polypipe tubing is located.

For all your irrigation-initiation questions, check out this summary of significant management practices. The highlighted practices are proven to contribute to higher yields in both research environments and farmers’ fields.

Source: USB

Video: Residue Management

Residue Management conservation practice manages the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round while limiting soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled prior to planting. This video explores how Ryan McKenzie implemented this conservation practice on his farm in Samson, Alabama.

Practice benefits:

• Increases organic matter

• Improves air quality

• Decreases energy costs

• Reduces erosion

• Improves soil health

The Conservation at Work video series was created to increase producer awareness of common conservation practices and was filmed at various locations throughout the country. Because conservation plans are specific to the unique resource needs on each farm and also soil type, weather conditions, etc., these videos were designed to serve as a general guide to the benefits of soil and water conservation and landowners should contact their local USDA office for individual consultation.