ChemigationCenter Pivot Irrigation

Robert Stadnicki

Chemigation

According to the Washington State Dept of Agriculture, Chemigation is the application of a pesticide or a system maintenance compound through an irrigation system.

Center Pivot Irrigation

A method of crop irrigation in which irrigation equipment rotates around a pivot.

Most systems used to be powered by water but nowadays many systems are run by electric motors.

where and who

Nebraska, Kansas, Idaho,

North and South Dakota

potato, cotton, sunflower farmers

drought/desert lands

Manufacturers1. Valmont

“Valley”

2. Reinke

“Electrogator”

3. Zimmatic

480 V systems

4. T-L Irrigation

Hydrostatically powered***

Variable displacement hydraulic pumps

Positive Impacts

• Less complex guidance system than in a lateral irrigation system.

• reduced labor costs

• reduced water consumption

Negative Impacts

• Possibility of backflow

• Water pollution/contamination

• Using up aquifers/water supply

basics

Stripling Park Research

results...

gps used to determine spots which need different application.

VRI (Variable Rate Irrigation)

Now available in new systems or as an addition to old systems

Farmers can apply different amounts of water to specific locations on field

Additional Possibilities for Improvement

GIS programs such as MapWindow could be used to plan out soil maps, watersheds, possible drainage tile layouts, water mains, and so on.

Along with GPS systems, sensors, controls, the center pivot could be transformed into a very successful precision farming technique.