The case study was aimed at finding opportunities for pasture-based farmers to use water more efficiently by the installation of water meters on centre pivots, which accurately measured how much was water is used for irrigation.
Global warming has had a drastic impact on nature and one of its biggest hits has been on water availability. Of all the water on earth, 2.5% is fresh water and only 1% is available for use.
Irrigation should not be applied uniformly in fields because soil differs in structure and texture. Understanding water movement dynamics for individual fields are very important for irrigation scheduling.
Improved irrigation efficiency is becoming highly important due to the current decrease in available water resources and growing populations that lead to expansion of agricultural activities. Therefore proper water usage and management is vital for agricultural producers.
The relationship between plants and water is delicate. Too little water can lead to plant stress, resulting in wilting. Too much can lead to risk of pathogen infection and loss of nutrients supporting the plant via leaching.
Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to irrigation water quality. The best place to start is knowing the quality of your irrigation water.
Water is a precious resource and everything possible should be done to ensure that it is used carefully and efficiently.
When dairy effluent is viewed as waste water, it is all about getting rid off it. However when it is viewed as beneficial water, it is all about the opportunity costs of the nutrients.
Good water management practices can significantly contribute to better water use efficiency. This is an economic advantage on farms, contributes to environmental stewardship and is a social responsibility of farmers.