Episode 34 - Smart Irrigation Month

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Episode Highlights:

• [1:46] Happy Smart Irrigation Month! - John and Elizabeth introduce Smart Irrigation Month and Technology Tuesday.

• [2:44] The Birthday Game - Play along:
  • Lindsey Graham
  • Richard Simmons
  • Harrison Ford

• [5:49] Irrigation technologies used in landscapes - Overview of landscape irrigation. Sometimes the best irrigation systems are the ones you never even notice working.
  • [7:15] Drip and microspray - ​Often used for trees and shrubs, drip and microspray irrigation provides water directly to the root zone of plants.
  • [9:56] Controllers - Technology that controls when an irrigation system operates. We discuss two types of irrigation controllers:
    • Smart controllers, which can take into account weather, rainfall and soil moisture data to irrigate only when necessary.
    • Clock and calendar controllers, which water based on a predetermined schedule.

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• [17:42] Irrigation technologies used in agriculture - Overview of agriculture irrigation.
  • [18:42] Surface - The oldest form of irrigation, surface irrigation is still widely used today. There are both efficient and inefficient ways to use surface irrigation.
  • [20:57] Sprinkler/pivot - Typically used for row crops, efficient sprinkler irrigation has played an important role in improving water supply in the Ogallala Aquifer. Technology now allows growers to control sprinkler irrigation systems from their smartphones!
  • [25:16] Drip and microspray - Commonly used for permanent and high-value crops, drip irrigation can be very efficient because it releases water one drop at a time.

• [27:02] Benefits of water saved through efficient irrigation - Water saved through efficient irrigation can have a variety of benefits. Environmental benefits can include improved stream flow and groundwater recharge. Growers may also use saved water to increase their yields.

• [28:57] Resources for more information - For more information on irrigation technology and Smart Irrigation Month, visit irrigation.org or smartirrigationmonth.org.