Scheduling the Last Irrigation of the Season
August 26, 2020
Usually by mid to late August, corn and soybeans have progressed enough in maturity that we have a good handle on how much water it will take to finish the crop out. So just how much water do we need to finish out the growing season?
Center Pivot End Gun Considerations
August 20, 2020
End guns have been on center pivots from almost the beginning and the merits of their use have been debated about as long. Some farmers would not have a pivot without an end gun and others would not have a pivot with one.
How To Keep Irrigation Cost Down On A Dry Year With Low Grain Prices
July 16, 2020
Irrigation expenses are usually the biggest energy cost on the farm. On dry years, they become even higher. So how does one know when the system must be started and when it can be turned off? How should the low commodity prices this year affect these decisions?
Vegetative Growth Stage Irrigation, Is It Needed This Year?
June 19, 2020
Research conducted by the University of Nebraska and elsewhere shows that corn is relatively drought tolerant during the vegetative period, but very sensitive to water stress during silking through early grain fill.
Is It Too Easy to Turn Irrigation Water On?
May 28, 2020
Every irrigator can make excellent irrigation scheduling decisions by getting the right information and analyzing the data. Today it is easier they ever to install equipment the will automatically record and help analyze the data before sending it to your computer or smartphone.
Center Pivot Safety, an Essential Part of a Satisfying and Profitable Year
May 7, 2020
Pivots have several potential hazards, making it important to review safety procedures each year with every person on the farm. Every person that will operate the system should read all the safety instructions in the machine’s manual or be trained by a knowledgeable trainer.
Common Problems Regarding Center Pivot Operating Pressure and Uniformity
January 22, 2020
Pivots operating below or above the designed water pressure can create uniformity issues across fields and/or increase operating expenses.
Management Recommendations for Irrigation Equipment Affected by Flooding
March 25, 2019
As waters drain and soils dry out, part of the recovery process will include checking irrigation systems for damage and performing maintenance/repair before those systems can be used. Here's what to check in your power unit, irrigation well, and center pivot.