Cooperative Living August 2021 - 21

CuttingEdge | by Maria Kanevsky, Contributing Columnist
Keeping
farmland
Water, Water Everywhere
Strategies for energy-efficient irrigation systems
well-irrigated is
crucial for almost
any agricultural
producer.
E
nergy-efficient irrigation methods help farmers curtail
unnecessary water use while growing the same produce,
reducing
reducing operating costs and increasing overalloverall
educing operating costs and increasing overall
operating costs and increasing
productivity. When choosing between different irrigation
methods and technologies, the most important aspects to
consider are the overall cost, return on investment,
convenience and minimization of risks.
One of the easiest ways to maximize energy efficiency
is to use electric motors in place of old, inefficient diesel
irrigation motors. Typically, electric motors are about 90%
efficient, while diesel motors have much lower
efficiencies between 30% and 40%. This means
cost savings in the long run.
Electric motors also have lower maintenance
needs and can make use of a variable-frequency
drive irrigation system, which helps to further
reduce costs. These systems allow farmers to
pump water at different rates, which maximizes
irrigation throughout the day. A VFD system can control the
speed of the electric motor because it controls the electric
power frequency supplied to the motor. The majority of U.S.
farmers have switched their diesel motors to electric ones,
although pairing the motor with a VFD system is still a
relatively new agricultural trend.
PUMP UPDATE
Irrigation efficiency is not a one-time deal. After several
years, the efficiency of irrigation pumps tends to decline.
After five years, irrigation pumps are typically evaluated for
performance efficiency. The evaluation can help inform
decisions on the most cost-effective solution, whether making
improvements to the existing pump or a replacing it entirely.
Irrigation pump tests usually assess the pump's discharge
pressure, lift, water flow and power input. Regular testing of
irrigation pumps can help to ensure the pumps are working
as efficiently as possible.
co-opliving.com
efficient irrigation system performance. For example,
replacing
leaky sprinklers can help save
GOING HIGH-TECH
Many new agricultural technologies, including
autonomous tractors, crop-monitoring drones, and robotic
milking or weeding machines, are part of the " precision
agriculture " industry.
Beyond existing irrigation technologies,
Wi-Fi-connected crops are one type of precision
agriculture technology. After placing Wi-Ficonnected
sensors throughout a crop field,
farmers can monitor the conditions by simply
using their smartphones or computers. Sensors
capture data on light, humidity, temperature and
moisture. That data is automatically sent to a server to be
analyzed, and is then sent to a farmer's smartphone app.
Using Wi-Fi-connected crops also allows farmers to
remotely set automatic timers for their watering systems.
One constraint of using Wi-Fi-connected crops is that the
sensor range can be limited, which makes the technology
only feasible for smaller farms. Other network connectivity
platforms can be applied to irrigation management, such
as cellular connection, satellites, LoRa and Sigfox, but Wi-Fi
is by far the most commonly used.
As technology continues to improve, there will be new
opportunities to support the agricultural sector. Replacing
technology that uses on-site fossil fuels, such as propane and
gasoline, with technology powered by electricity will help
improve energy efficiency and reduce local pollution. 
Maria Kanevsky writes on consumer and cooperative affairs
for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
August 2021 | Cooperative Living | 19
replacing leaky sprinklers can help save a significant amountamount
of water. Maintaining the overall efficiency of irrigation
systems over time helps reduce water use and saves energy.
eplacing leaky sprinklers can help save a significant amount
Upgrading irrigation hardware can also lead to more
significant
PHOTO COURTESY LANCE CHEUNG/USDA
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Cooperative Living August 2021

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