25 Oct Irrigation Distribution Uniformity: Helping Growers Conserve Water
Irrigation Distribution Uniformity Evaluation:
Helping Growers Conserve Water
Distribution Uniformity (DU) is a number (usually expressed as a percentage) to describe how evenly irrigation water is applied to a field. The evaluation includes pressure readings of the pumping and filter stations and in-field flow and pressure measurements. Results are compiled into a report for the grower and recommendations for improvement are given.
All growers should have a Distribution Uniformity (DU) Evaluation performed on their irrigation set to help improve their irrigation efficiency. Poor DU means that the water and nutrients being applied are not being equally applied to the field, leading to some crops being over-watered and other plants not getting enough water. The reasons for improving DU comes down to crop productivity and farm profitability.
Ag Laboratory & Consulting can give growers the proper instrumentation to precisely measure irrigations, applications, and nutrient needs.
Call ALC today! 805-739-5333
- Learn how you can monitor your water use
- Find the best instrumentation for your field
- Schedule your DU Evaluation
Vineyard Irrigation Projects
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is funding a project with Vineyard Team to investigate what influences growers’ decisions and behaviors regarding vineyard water conservation practices. They hope to identify the factors that contribute to the conservation culture. The purpose of the project is to help growers conserve water in vineyards and better understand how growers think about and make decisions about irrigation. Vineyard Team will organize and distribute a number of educational tools, tailgates, fact sheets, articles, and podcasts related to irrigation management. Craig Macmillan, PhD., is Vineyard Team’s contact for the DWR funded project. To learn more about the project, visit Vineyard Team’s article, “Creating a Culture of Water Conservation (DWR)“.