Irrigation Management Practices Cropping A*Syst Katie L. Droscha 01/14/ /15/2013 minor edits by Linda Zabik

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1 Irrigation Management Practices Cropping A*Syst Katie L. Droscha 01/14/ /15/2013 minor edits by Linda Zabik

2 7.01) Have all irrigation systems been evaluated for application of uniformity? Low Risk All irrigation systems have been evaluated for uniformity. Corrections are made to the system to improve uniformity Medium Risk Some irrigation systems have been evaluated for uniformity. Remainder of systems scheduled to be evaluated. High Risk Irrigation system uniformity has not been evaluated.

3 How to Test Uniformity?

4 1) Determine the System: Center Pivot Solid Set Microirrigation Drip Tape/Lines Linear Movement

5 Things to consider for each system for Uniformity 1) Age of system 2) Length and size of system 3) How often is the system maintained? 4) Is the system zoned?

6 1) Uniformity: Age of System A) How old is the system? 3 years, 10 years 40 years? ** Does landowner have receipts or documentation showing the age of the system? B) How old are the parts attached to the system? Brand new pump with old system? Brand new system with old pump? Brand new system with old sprinkler heads attached?

7 2) Uniformity: Length and size of system A) Length? Landowner knows the length of the pipeline(s)? Landowner irrigate with the whole length of the system? B) Size? Landowner knows the diameter of pipes in system Landowner irrigate the whole field? Landowner irrigate more than one field with the same system?

8 3) Uniformity: How often is the system maintained? A) System calibrated? B) Parts replaced? C) Sprinkler heads checked? D) Maintenance and Calibration logs?

9 4) Uniformity: Does the Irrigation System have zones? A) How many zones of use does the system have? B) Do all zones have equal size, shape and length of pipelines C) Do all zones have the same sprinkler heads? D) Are zone crops the same?

10 Uniformity: Center Pivot 1) Collection Cups Linear feet 2) Time the rate of movement from point A to B

11 Uniformity: Center Pivot (Continued) 3) Measure Water Samples per Cup 4) Uniformity Calculator Useful Source: Cooperative Extension: publications/files/pdf/c%20911_2.pdf

12 Uniformity: Microirrigation 1) Collection Pans 2) Time applications

13 Uniformity: Microirrigation (Continued) 3) Measure water 4) Compare on Nomograph Useful Sources: formity_evaluation_for_a_micro_irrigation

14 Uniformity: Solid Set 1) Collection Cups - Grid 2) Time applications Start - Finish

15 Uniformity: Solid Set (Continued) 3) Measure Water 4) Uniformity Grid Calculator Useful Sources: cation_uniformity_evaluation_for_an_overhead_sprink

16 Uniformity: Final Notes

17 7.02) How is the amount of irrigation water delivered accurately determined? Low Risk All water applications are accurately determined Actual Flow: Gallons Per Minute (GPM) Time and duration of application Flow Meter Calculated average output caught with system evaluation Medium Risk Water applications are estimated High Risk Water application amounts are not determined. Excess application occurs.

18 7.02) (Continued) Items to look for Calculate GPM Flow Meters System evaluation

19 7.03) Are all sprinkler systems operated to minimize drift and offtarget application Low Risk All sprinkler systems are operated to minimize drift and off-target application Medium Risk Most sprinkler systems operated to minimize risk. There are a few off-target irrigation applications that occur High Risk Sprinkler systems are often operated under windy conditions. Water is sprayed over roads, adjacent property or structures.

20 7.03) Off-Target Applications (Continued)

21 7.04) Is noise control provided when needed? Low Risk Noise Control is provided, when needed Medium Risk In most areas of concern, noise control is provided when needed. High Risk Noise control is not provided when needed.

22 7.04) Noise Control (continued) Pg. 4, 2012 Irrigation GAAMPS

23 7.05) Are proper irrigation system management records collected and retained for use in decision making and for reference in case of complaints? Low Risk Irrigation System Mgt Records are collected and retained: Crop type, location Water Source Date and amount applied System Inspection, repairs, leaks Calibration of fertigation/chemigation Uniformity Evaluation Medium Risk Most of irrigation system mgt records are collected and retained. Landowner plans to maintain complete irrigation records High Risk Few to no irrigation systems mgt records are collected and retained

24 7. 05) Irrigation Mgt Records (Continued)

25 7.06) How is irrigation scheduling used to determine when it is necessary to irrigate and how much water should be applied during each irrigation event? Low Risk Irrigation water is scheduled on the basis of: Available soil water for each unit scheduled Depth of rooting for each crop irrigated Allowable soil moisture depletion at each stage of crop growth Measured, estimated or published evapotranspiration data to determine crop water use Measured rainfall in each field irrigated Medium Risk Irrigation water is scheduled on the basis of observed soil moisture content and/or daily water crop usage High Risk Irrigation water is applied at a set rate per week if no precipitation is received

26 7.06) Irrigation scheduling (continued 1)

27 7.06) Irrigation scheduling (continued 2)

28 7.07) Is there a rain gauge in every irrigated field? Low Risk Irrigation water is scheduled on the basis of: Available soil water for each unit scheduled Depth of rooting for each crop irrigated Allowable soil moisture depletion at each stage of crop growth Measured, estimated or published evapotranspiration data to determine crop water use Measured rainfall in each field irrigated Medium Risk Irrigation water is scheduled on the basis of observed soil moisture content and/or daily water crop usage High Risk Irrigation water is applied at a set rate per week if no precipitation is received

29 7.08) Is irrigation water runoff and ponding minimized? Low Risk Sprinkler applications rates are below the soil infiltration rate. Nutrient leaching is minimized. Medium Risk Most sprinkler application rates are below the soil infiltration rate. Some runoff and ponding is present. High Risk Soil application rates exceed the soil infiltration rate

30 7.08) Is irrigation water runoff and ponding minimized (continued)

31 7.09) Are split applications of N fertilizer (fertigation and land-applied) used when nitrogen is used on an irrigated field? Low Risk After planting, split applications are used to ensure that N is available when plants need it most and to minimize the amount that can be leached. N applications do not exceed MSU recommendations. Medium Risk High Risk Majority of N is applied before or at planting, increasing the risk of N leaching. ** Landowner should be aware of Nutrient Mgt. and plant available N

32 7.10) Do moving irrigation system that use chemigation have adequate interlock and safety systems to prevent over application of pesticides, fertilizer and water? Low Risk An adequate interlock and safety system prevents over-applications of fertilizers, pesticides and water when pump continues to run and the distribution system stops moving. Medium Risk High Risk No.

33 7.10) interlock and safety systems to prevent overapplication of pesticides, fertilizer and water? (Continued)

34 7.11) Are appropriate backflow prevention devices in place and properly maintained if fertigation of chemigation is used? Low Risk Appropriate backflow prevention safety devices are used and properly maintained if fertigation or chemigation is used. Medium Risk- Backflow prevention devices are almost always used and/or properly maintained. High Risk Backflow prevention devices are not used and/or properly maintained.

35 7.11) Backflow prevention (Continued)

36 7.12) Is excess irrigation avoided? Low Risk Irrigation water applications in excess of the quantity of water needed to replace the soil/substrate moisture deficit are avoided Medium Risk- Excess irrigation water applications may occur occasionally High Risk Excess irrigation water applications are common.

37 7.13) Is the irrigation well adequately protected from contamination from pesticides and fertilizers? Low Risk Anti-backflow device is installed, and agrichemical storage and preparation areas are at LEAST 150 feet from well Medium Risk- Anti-backflow device is installed, agrichemical storage and preparation areas have secondary containment, but storage and preparation are less than 150 feet away from the well High Risk No anti-backflow device, no secondary containment and less than 150 feet away from the well

38 7.14) How far is irrigation fuel tank from a storm drain, surface water or designated wetland? Low Risk Tank is more than 50 feet away OR has some other engineering control present that would control or divert a spill from reaching a storm drain, surface water or designated wetland. Medium Risk-. High Risk Tank is 50 feet or less

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