water application rate - Page 1

Five ways to improve irrigation efficiency without buying new equipment

Five practical irrigation management strategies can help Idaho producers improve water-use efficiency, conserve limited water supplies and maintain profitability without investing in expensive new technology.

June 10, 2026

Emily Bedwell

While new irrigation technologies can be valuable tools, improving irrigation efficiency does not always require a major investment. In many cases, small management changes can have a significant impact on water use, crop performance and overall profitability.

Putting wheel-line sprinkler technologies to the test

Utah trials show newer wheel-line sprinklers can improve irrigation efficiency without reducing yields, offering farmers a way to conserve water while maintaining crop performance.

May 17, 2026

Matt Yost

Even small improvements in how water is applied and managed can make a noticeable difference in irrigation efficiency and crop performance. Utah State University (USU) is currently studying four types of wheel‑line sprinklers (traditional impact sprinklers and newer rotator styles) to see how they affect irrigation efficiency and yields in common forage crops.

Water and prices hot topics at Idaho Potato Conference

February 24, 2026

Tyrell Marchant

As it does every year, the Idaho Potato Conference, held in Pocatello Jan. 21-22, delivered vital educational opportunities for growers, agronomists and the allied industry. With the potato industry facing some of the highest supplies and lowest prices it has seen in years, wise producers are taking any opportunity to gain an edge in the coming year.

Automated surge irrigation shows potential to reduce water diversions

Automated surge irrigation can potentially transform surface irrigation from a labor-intensive practice into a precision-managed system capable of achieving real diversion reductions without reducing crop yield.

January 21, 2026

Matt Yost

One promising and often overlooked solution in helping to improve surface irrigation systems’ efficiency is optimizing how it is managed. Automated surge irrigation is a promising example of such solutions, one that can significantly reduce water diversions while fitting within existing farm management systems.

Choosing the best irrigation system for your farm

Various irrigation systems are available, but the right one for a dairy is dependent on farm-specific variables, including manure application.

February 27, 2025

Kurt Grimm

High land values, shrinking water supplies, increased regulations and labor shortages are reshaping the way we approach irrigation.

A better way to know when to water

Water potential sensors are one tool to improve irrigation management by measuring soil moisture availability for crops, leading to better yields, reduced water usage and significant cost savings.

June 17, 2024

Colin S. Campbell

Every farmer knows the cost of irrigating their crops, and anyone who has lost yield to disease and drought knows the cost of over- and underirrigating their crops.

Management strategies to address drought and limited water supplies

April 30, 2022

Helen E. Dahlke, Yonatan Ganot, and Nicholas Clark

Winter groundwater recharge, where farmland is flooded during the winter using surface water to recharge the underlying groundwater, is a promising technology currently tested on alfalfa. In this study, we investigated the suitability of semi-non-dormant alfalfa for winter groundwater recharge.

Progressive Dairy

Progressive Dairy Canada

PD Canada en Francais

Progressive Cattle

Progressive Cattle Canada

Progressive Forage

Agproud Idaho

Home

Items Tagged with 'water application rate'

ARTICLES

Five ways to improve irrigation efficiency without buying new equipment

Putting wheel-line sprinkler technologies to the test

Water and prices hot topics at Idaho Potato Conference

Automated surge irrigation shows potential to reduce water diversions

Choosing the best irrigation system for your farm

A better way to know when to water

Management strategies to address drought and limited water supplies

Maximizing forage production through strategic species selection and management

Bankerisms and other wise words

The conversation ranching families can’t avoid

FREE NEWSLETTERS

SUBSCRIBE to Leading Industry Magazines

I'm looking for ________

[Podcast] America 250: Raise a glass of milk to dairy’s past, present and future