ALFALFA/HAY THROUGH EFFICIENT IRRIGATION SOLUTIONS. Higher yields... lower costs... precision application

Transcription

1 ALFALFA/HAY INCREASING Alfalfa/hay YIELDS THROUGH EFFICIENT IRRIGATION SOLUTIONS Higher yields... lower costs... precision application

2 Why irrigate? The correct amount of water on your alfalfa or hay crop is essential for producing high yields. Zimmatic irrigation systems bring a cost-effective solution, alleviating risk when the weather isn t cooperating. Water stress affects yield, crop growth, development and quality, as well as decreasing stand life. Inadequate water can also lower protein content and decrease palatability of legumes and grasses. Proper irrigation management minimizes yield loss due to crop water stress, optimizes yield per unit of water applied and promotes good management practices. The result is a greater return on investment. Soil and irrigation work together for healthy crops Soil drainage is a key factor when determining the proper irrigation system for your land and the crops you plant. Mixtures of legumes and grasses are commonly grown in pastures to extend the grazing season, while pure stands of legumes such as alfalfa are grown for hay. In both cases, it is important to know the tolerance of crops to drainage. Alfalfa is more sensitive to ph and drainage than grass crops, so alfalfa stands can decline quickly due to root and crown rots if wet conditions are present for extended periods. Impact of soil drainage on forage species Soil Drainage Forage Species Excellent Good Fair to Poor Very Poor Alfalfa Birdsfoot Trefoil Red Clover White Clover Alsike Clover Sweet Clover Bromegrass Timothy Reed Canarygrass Orchard Grass Perennial Ryegrass Tall Fescue Meadow Fescue Creeping Red Fescue Meadow Foxtail Kentucky Bluegrass Source: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

3 The ins and outs of forage crops Legumes are commonly grown with one or more grass crops. That s because stands of grass crops without alfalfa may not yield well without heavy applications of nitrogen, which can be cost prohibitive. Alfalfa fixes atmospheric nitrogen that can benefit other crops when grown in a mixture. However, even with adequate nitrogen, some grasses don t produce well in very hot, dry summer conditions. Irrigation can provide adequate and regular water supplies so yields remain higher throughout the growing season. A pure stand of alfalfa produces a higher protein level and greater feed value than grass mixtures. It has a long stand life and high yields when properly managed. When not well managed, alfalfa stands can become thin, developing problems such as: Weedier fields with higher control costs Loss of feed supply if weaker plants are winter killed Slower drying in the windrow Greater degree of lodging Less palatable feed Higher incidence of diseases, particularly root and crown rots Crop management Forage crops, unlike row crops, are harvested multiple times per season and are grown for the vegetative, rather than the reproductive, portions. Also, alfalfa and alfalfa/ grass mixes have variable growth patterns, depending on the crop. For example, with alfalfa, warmseason grasses and cool-season grasses, you have crops growing throughout the season. GENERAL GROWTH PATTERNS OF FORAGE CROPS Source: University of Nebraska, Lincoln; G86-828; range/g8226.htm It is especially important to monitor these crops to make sure they re getting the proper fertility, pest control and water at the proper times. Grasses and alfalfa don t have a critical growth period like corn or soybeans. Rather, their growth occurs at various times during the season, so it s important to be able to furnish water whenever it s needed, rather than relying on rainfall alone. Monitoring evapotranspiration To effectively plan irrigation, growers need to account for evapotranspiration (ET). This is the total water use of a crop, including evaporation from the soil and transpiration by the plant. Humidity, solar radiation, wind and crop health and growth stage all affect evapotranspiration. Low fertility, pest problems and other factors reduce water use efficiency. Water holding capacities of various agricultural soils GENERAL GROWTH PATTERN Soil Texture MONTH 1 MONTH 2 MONTH 3 MONTH 4 MONTH 5 Cool-Season Grasses Forage Legumes Warm-Season Grasses ET rates may exceed 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) per day. ET information is used for: Appropriate irrigation system design Irrigation scheduling Application of fertilizers and pesticides throughout the system Control of undesirable salts in the soil To measure and monitor crop ET, you ll need access to the following: A local report on weather that estimates crop ET A rain gauge in each field or a group of adjacent fields A good estimate of the allowable water depletion for the soil, which can be calculated by extension agents and crop consultants Intake Rate (inches/cm per hour) Available Water Storage Capacity Clay 0.1 (0.3 cm) 2.0 (5.1 cm) Silty Clay Loam 0.3 (0.8 cm) 2.2 (5.6 cm) Silt Loam 0.5 (1.3 cm) 2.5 (6.4 cm) Loam 0.7 (1.8 cm) 2.0 (5.1 cm) Fine Sandy Loam 1.0 (2.5 cm) 1.5 (3.8 cm) Fine Sand 3.0 (7.6 cm) 0.8 (2.0 cm) Source: Soil Water Calculations. Montana State University.

4 Water requirements and optimization Alfalfa starts using water in the spring as it begins to grow. Initially, water use is low because of slow growth and cool spring temperatures. As it gets warmer, water requirements increase until the pre-bud stage. Once the crop is cut, water use drops sharply until re-growth begins. This cycle repeats every 30 to 40 days as the crop is harvested. Grass crops have a similar requirement for regular water supplies throughout the growing season. The major difference is that there can be two types of grasses present that have different growth habits. Producing a quality ALFALFA WATER USE Source: University of Nebraska, Lincoln; G86-828; range/g8226.htm WATER USE, inches/day crop can require between 15 and 48 inches (38.1 and cm) of water to maintain a yield of four to six tons per acre (9 to 13.5 metric tons per ha). The amount of water needed also depends on soil type, its associated intake rate and water storage 1st CUT 2nd CUT 3rd CUT 4th CUT capacity. Intake rate and storage capacity are not directly related. As the sand content increases, the water can enter the soil faster, but storage capacity is less. Therefore, if your soil is predominantly sandy, you d need to closely monitor water use and irrigation schedules. Irrigation Management Although grasses are more tolerant of drought than alfalfa, regularly applied water is essential for growth, development and quality. Grass and alfalfa roots can penetrate four to six feet (1.2 to 1.8 m) into the soil, but it is only the upper four feet (1.2 m) of soil that draw the bulk of the water. That s why irrigation need not supply water any deeper than the upper four feet (1.2 m) of soil during the growing season. However, early spring irrigation can help build water reserves in case of a dry spring. Deep water reserves are important, especially if the water demand of the crop exceeds the available irrigation water. In fact, using limited irrigation exploits the deeper soil water by not fully watering the upper root zone. Though this can result in Water depletion allowances for representative crops Crop Alfalfa Grass Pasture Cereal Crops Source: Soil Moisture Monitoring: What Does 65% Depletion Mean? Montana State University: lower production, more soil water storage is available for drought periods when excessive dryness can severely limit production. If the water supply is limited, early- and late-season irrigation can be used for hay crops, due to their typically deep root penetration. An irrigation schedule should be developed using a method that permits accurate determination of remaining soil moisture. Whether you use the checkbook method, which treats water as withdrawal and deposit quantities or the Rotating Depth 4.0 ft. (1.2 m) 3.0 ft. (0.9 m) 2.5 ft. (0.8 m) Depletion Allowance 65% 60% 40-50% hand feel method, in which you determine remaining soil water based on texture and appearance it is important to keep a constant watch on your soil. Hay crops are sensitive to stress at harvest. Water stress can be especially harmful to the regrowth of alfalfa. Irrigating prior to or immediately after harvest will promote rapid recovery and re-growth. However, avoid heavy irrigation prior to harvest to prevent soil compaction during the harvest.

5 Why pivots/laterals? Pivot/lateral irrigation systems right amount, right time, right place Applying the correct amount of water at the right time is crucial to getting a good yield, but it s also important to apply it uniformly. Improvements in sprinkler design have paralleled those made in mechanical move systems, so Lindsay can provide computerdesigned packages tailored to match water application to the specific texture, infiltration rate and holding capacity of the soil. A center pivot system has low labor requirements, and is available in fixed or mobile versions. It allows forage production on hilly terrain, with slopes up to 15 percent. Sprinklers can be mounted on top of the spans or on drop-tubes to reduce water loss from drift and evaporation. Available with a choice of drivemotor speeds, center pivots provide the flexibility of using frequent, light watering or more soaking irrigation as forage matures. Adding a corner arm to a center pivot can provide up to 22 acres (8.9 ha) of additional irrigated coverage. Lateral move irrigation systems can provide up to 98 percent coverage on rectangular fields up to a mile and a half (2.4 km) long. This coverage advantage balances a higher capital investment and makes lateral move systems a frequent choice on high value crops such as forage. Water can be supplied from a ditch, making them ideal for conversion from flood irrigation. Hose-fed systems can be pivoted or towed for use on adjacent fields. Pivots/laterals v. flood irrigation Less waste The most obvious benefit to irrigating with a pivot or lateral system is that it produces less waste. You get even, precise water application (Figure A), rather than having too much water at the upper end, and not enough water at the other end of the field (Figure B). You won t lose water to evaporation, and you can control the timing and amount of water that is applied. There s also less runoff, helping prevent contamination of the water table and nearby streams. Figure A Pivot/lateral irrigation Figure B Flood irrigation Zimmatic center pivot with GrowSmart control Lower labor costs The Zimmatic irrigation system by Lindsay is automated, so no one has to move pipes, or open and close floodgates. There are no ditches to maintain for pivots. One irrigator can operate as many as 25 pivots. Plus, remote control and monitoring options are available. Higher return on investment The long life of a pivot or lateral system will save you money year after year. You ll use less water, reducing your energy costs. A Zimmatic pivot or lateral system also applies chemicals and fertilizers evenly, accurately and inexpensively. All this adds up to consistently higher yields. This information should be used as a guide and is not intended to be a guarantee on cost of ownership or yield improvement. Actual results may vary due to soil make-up, water quality, chemigation, fertigation, regional climate, management practices, crop selection, irrigation techniques and marketing.

6 Why Lindsay? Tough, dependable Lindsay irrigation systems have been the choice of the world s irrigators for more than 30 years. Lindsay irrigation systems pay for themselves many times over during their lifespan, and alleviate risk when weather conditions are not ideal for planting and growing. Yields: maximized A Lindsay irrigation system can provide proper application to every part of a field throughout the growing season, even in those areas that are currently underutilized. Only Lindsay offers powerful, easy-to-use GrowSmart irrigation management products. Energy, water, labor and time: saved When compared to other irrigation methods, a Lindsay system will help maximize crop yields while using less energy, water, labor and time. Flexible, intuitive GrowSmart control products make scheduling and operation simple, while Web-based remote control options offer comprehensive monitoring and management. Application: precision Zimmatic dealers analyze each grower s operation to customize a sprinkler package based on crop and climate conditions. Downtime: minimized Lindsay irrigation systems are designed and engineered for life on the farm. They re constructed using only the highest quality components for superior performance season after season. Support: certified Our network of certified dealers is trained to customize, install and service our entire range of irrigation systems. Watertronics Customized pump stations for maximum efficiency Each pump station is engineered based on your needs and field conditions to ensure peak performance. All components are integrated and housed in one complete unit Precision energy efficiency Variable Frequency Drive provides immediate energy savings Simple monitoring and control Continuous surge-free pressure regulation for enhanced efficiencies Horizontal and vertical pump stations available Also available as an economical pump control upgrade for existing pumps. Machines to fit your field Zimmatic offers irrigation options like center pivots, lateral moves or MAXfield Custom corner systems that can handle anything from irregular fields to rugged terrain to multiple crops. Durability Heavy-duty spans, trusses and drive trains deliver even water distribution. There are varying heights to provide the proper irrigation for different types of crops proven to withstand the elements in nearly any environment. Control panels Depending on your needs, each user-friendly GrowSmart control panel offers a different level of control, convenience and maintenance options.

7 The right pivot option for any field or terrain Lindsay has the pivot options to increase water efficiency and maximize yield. Lindsay offers durable parts, quality components and a range of tower heights for crop clearance and stable operation on varying terrain. Zimmatic center pivot MAXfield Custom corner on multiple crops Customized design to fit your fields Each irrigation system is customized with the right sprinkler height and sprinkler type to deliver optimal, uniform water application for your specific crop. Plus, our systems are designed with your changing needs in mind, allowing for planting flexibility from year to year. Customized sprinkler packages Rotating-spray, fixed-spray and medium elevation sprinklers provide a variety of coverage and pressure solutions to fit your specific field/crop conditions and needs. SmartDesign This program allows the dealer to design and review with you an irrigation system that fits your specific field to optimize acreage utilized for increased ROI. Determine field boundaries, obstacles, system length, and total irrigated acres to increase application accuracy and efficiency. FieldNET FieldNET builds a network between pivots, providing full control and monitoring capabilities. It s the industry s first completely Web-based, real-time irrigation management system that provides a view of every pivot, including location, status and water usage. Managing pumps is more efficient with a pump control service package.

8 Zimmatic center pivot An international irrigation leader Lindsay has a worldwide dealer network with warehouses in Nebraska, Texas and Idaho; factories in the United States, China, Brazil, France, and South Africa; and additional sales offices in Argentina, Australia, China, Egypt and Guatemala. We can coordinate a variety of resources to implement turnkey irrigation systems wherever they re needed, through our dealer network or Lindsay resources. For more information on alfalfa/hay and other crop specific irrigation solutions, visit or talk with your Lindsay dealer. USA: 2222 N. 111th St., Omaha, NE Africa: cnr Vosmaar & Drommedaris Street Dal Josafat Paarl, 7620, South Africa Brazil: Rodovia Adhemar Pereira de Barros - SP 340-KM 153, 5 Jd. Bela Vista - Caixa Postal 1001 CEP , Mogi-Mirim, Sao Paulo, Brazil Europe SAS: La Chapelle D Aligne, France China Sales Office: Room 403, Building C Beijing Lufthansa Center Number 50, Lianmaqiao Road Chaoyang District Beijing, China Lean, Clean and Green. Lindsay Corporation is committed to developing environmental awareness and implementing sustainable practices to reduce the use of and protect energy, water, and all other resources Lindsay. All rights reserved. Zimmatic, GrowSmart and FieldNET are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Lindsay Corporation. LI ALFALFA/HAY