Variable Rate Pivot Irrigation Systems [Student]

Introduction

With Precision Variable Rate Irrigation growers can record crop yields and make significant irrigation water savings. The need for uniform and accurate water delivery to the crop throughout its lifecycle is essential to maximizing yield and maintaining the health of the plant. Water is saved through matching irrigation rate to soil characteristics and avoiding watering unproductive land such as waterways and wetlands. Therefore, farmers can achieve greater yields by applying the right amount of water where it is needed. VRI systems can make all areas of a field more profitable, reduce runoff, help the soil’s health and the environment while increasing water application efficiency.^[1]

Figure 1: How a VR Pivot Irrigation System works^[1]

Figure 2. A VRI pivot system (Valley Irrigation)^[2]

A Precision VRI plan can contain a very large number of management zones (also called polygons or areas), and will continuously adjust the irrigator speed to minimise the rotation time. Plans can be adjusted remotely and on the control panel itself, giving you maximum flexibility and control over how you irrigate.^[1]

Figure 3. Variable Pivot Irrigation map^[3]

Related Smart Farming Products

Trimble’s Irrigate-IQ Optimal Flow VRI^[3]

Trimble’s Irrigate-IQ™ precision irrigation solution is a flexible and scalable VRI system that can control pivot irrigators, plan irrigation plans, perform variable rate irrigation, and receive reports. By enhancing the irrigation operation, you can ensure you’re doing what’s best for your crop and your farm.

Zimmatic Precision VRI^[1]

Zimmatic Precision VRI allows farmers to customize exactly the right amount of water or chemicals to each area of your field – enabling full control over each square centimeter, maximizing yields and profitability.

Valley Variable Rate Irrigation^[2]

Valley Variable Rate Irrigation is a VRI system that allows farmers to customize water application based on topography information, soil data maps, yield data and other user-defined information. Based on the VRI Prescription, water is only applied where it needs to be, and, not to unnecessary areas in the field such as ditches, canals, buildings and boggy areas.

Related Scientific Papers

Variable Rate Irrigation 2010 Field Results^[4]

This paper will discuss results from the summer of 2010 of a commercial center pivot equipped with the Valley Variable Rate Zone control package. The results showed that the application of the prescription map across the field achieved a significant water and energy decrease.