Conservation Practices that Save: Irrigation Water Management
Agricultural water supply is emerging as a critical natural resource issue. Irrigated agriculture is essential in meeting our food and fiber production needs. Irrigation water management encourages the application of water in an amount that meets the need of the growing plant in a manner that avoids extended soil saturation and runoff. By increasing application precision and reducing unneeded applications, water can be conserved and energy can be saved. In addition to improving irrigation pumping and application systems, producers can convert to crops that use less water or implement a water recovery program.