Improve Irrigation Efficiency Before Spring Rains

As spring approaches, many farmers all around the U.S. are focused on planting schedules and predicting weather trends, but there is one critical system that can often be overlooked or forgotten: irrigation. Irrigation, the practice of regulating water to enrich and nourish the land, using artificial methods, such as sprinkler, drip and sub-irrigation. Irrigation is used to supplement rainfall and deliver water from wells, rivers or reservoirs directly to the crops. Efficient irrigation management before seasonal rains can significantly impact soil health, crop performance and long-term land sustainability.

Preparing irrigation systems before the spring season starts can help you handle rainfall, snowfall and more while protecting the valuable resources in your soil.

Why Spring Preparation Matters

Spring rains can either recharge soil moisture, providing more ideal planting conditions, or create costly problems if water isn't properly managed. Poor systems can lead to runoff, erosion and nutrient loss-issues that negatively affect soil health.

Efficient irrigation supports:

·       Consistent moisture levels

·       Reduced erosion during heavy rains

·       Better nutrient retention

·       Lower energy and water costs

These benefits tie closely to broader land stewardship goals discussed in Soil Health: The Foundation of Productive Farmland.

How Do You Improve Irrigation Efficiency?

Before spring rains arrive, farmers should evaluate their equipment and water strategy:

·       Inspect pumps, pivots and drip lines for leaks or blockages

·       Adjust application rates to match soil type and crop needs

·       Schedule irrigation to complement rainfall, not compete with it

Improving irrigation efficiency starts with understanding how water moves across your land’s soil. The composition of your land can affect the timing and volume that is necessary for irrigation. Soil that contains a lot of clay, loam or sandy soils all absorb and disperse water in very different ways. Ensuring the right practices are in place can prevent surface runoff, ponding and nutrient leaching, saving your land in the long run.

Reviewing rainfall patterns and soil moisture data can also dramatically improve irrigation efficiency. Due to the unpredictable nature of spring weather, being flexible and making a plan for too much or too little rain is absolutely critical. Farmers who use soil moisture sensors or manual field checks before they start irrigation can reduce the amount of unnecessary water use while maintaining properly hydrated crops and saving on utilities.

When paired with strong soil structure and organic matter, often improved through cover cropping practices, efficient irrigation becomes even more effective.

Irrigation Technology

Irrigation technology has transformed since its beginnings as simply surface irrigation in ancient civilizations, but in many ways, it has remained the same. While the overall practice of artificially applying water to land has stayed consistent over the centuries, technological advancements, like the center pivot or drip irrigation, have made the practice much easier and more efficient.

Modern irrigation technology focuses on precise delivery and automation, so farmers’ lives are easier and watering crops is efficient. Variable rate irrigation (VRI), GPS-guided pivot and sensor-based systems can help you apply water only where and when you need to. These tools are especially valuable in large-scale farms where soil conditions can vary within a single field.

Advanced irrigation technology systems reduce the amount of labor demanded from farmers, yet improve accuracy. With innovations like automated shutoffs, remote monitoring and live alerts, you can respond even quicker to leaks, pressure drops and weather changes.  

Soil, Water & Land Value

From a real estate perspective, well-managed irrigation systems showcase the potential of the property and its long-term viability. Buyers are increasingly attentive to how farms manage water, especially in regions facing tighter water regulations or fluctuating rainfall.

Documented irrigation upgrades for properties, as well as water rights can stand out in competitive farmland markets.

Farms with documented irrigation efficiency often show:

·       Lower input costs

·       Reduced erosion damage

·       More consistent yields

·       Better adaptability to climate swings

These factors contribute to stronger land value, increased buyer confidence and smoother farm sales. Buyers like to see a property being well cared for with long-term productivity in mind.

How to Select Which Irrigation Method Works Best for You

Select the irrigation method that works best for you and your land by determining what would work best for your crops, your budget and your goals.

Every farm is different and requires unique approaches to irrigation and crop management. Factors like crop size, field size, slopes and hills, the composition of the soil, available water sources and costs all influence which irrigation method would work best for your land.

Irrigation improvements begin with farmers walking through their land to identify problem areas. Pay attention to spots where water tends to collect and sections that tend to need more attention. These problems areas can reveal if a system is providing too much or not enough water to crops. Address this issue before spring rains arrive to ensure targeted improvements are effective rather than having to make quick fixes during the growing season.

Drip or Micro-Irrigation

Micro-irrigation or drip irrigation transports the water precisely to the root of the crops. It’s slow and direct method increases the amount of water that the plants absorb and decreases water wasted by evaporation or runoff.

This irrigation method is achieved through a system of pipes and valves on the soil’s surface or just below, typically underneath a layer of mulch.  

Sprinkler Irrigation

Sprinkler irrigation works as artificial rainfall, watering the crops from above. This irrigation practice varies greatly in size based on need. Similar to real precipitation, sprinklers distribute water evenly to large sections of land.

Center pivots, lateral moves, pipes and sprinklers are key elements to sprinkler irrigation. This method is versatile and effective, allowing for famers to customize their sprinkler system to their farmland.

Sub-Irrigation

Sub-irrigation can be broken down into three major types: subsurface drip irrigation, controlled drainage and greenhouse/container systems. Subsurface drip irrigation calls for piping throughout the targeted area, offering direct delivery to the root zone while controlled drainage utilizes tile drainage systems to achieve the same result. Container systems are simple, as it is achieved through placing potted plants in water trays and benches, which can even be done within the home.

Surface Irrigation

Surface irrigation has been a common farming practice for centuries. Sometimes also referred to as flood irrigation, farmers water their crops by applying water to the field and let it flow throughout the crops. The water will start to pool or run off, which requires farmers to cut off the water at a good time and may need to drain the field.

Building a Resilient Farm System

Irrigation efficiency isn't just about saving water –it’s about protecting soil, crops and investment. When irrigation planning works in tandem with soil health initiatives and cover crop programs, farms are better positioned for long-term success.

At United Country, these interconnected practices help tell a complete story about a property's productivity, stewardship and future potential.

Smart water management starts before the first spring rain falls.

Related Articles:

Best Cover Crops for American Farmland

Soil Health: The Foundation of Productive Farmland

Crop Insurance Programs: A Quick Guide to Saving Money

Sources:

cast-science.org

ers.usda.gov