The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is suggesting that producers keep a close check on soil moisture conditions over the summer months, especially if they are irrigating fields.
"It is crucial that growing crops get sufficient moisture during the season," said Scott Anderson, an engineering technician with the department. "Monitoring soil conditions is an excellent way to determine if irrigation is needed."
Anderson says there are a variety of ways to monitor moisture conditions. The least expensive and easiest method is with a tensiometer, a water filled tube with a porous end which can be inserted into the soil. They are available for $80-$90 each.
Anderson says the only limitation of the tensiometer is that it can determine when to irrigate, but not by what amount. He says another alternative is to utilize the services of a crop consultant to monitor soil moisture over the growing season. Some use a neutron probe which directly measures soil water content. The probe is more accurate than the tensiometer, provides a complete profile of moisture conditions throughout the growing season and can determine the daily water use of the crop. It is also more costly.
There has been a significant increase in irrigation over the past several years. Anderson says with uncertain weather conditions, producers are irrigating to obtain higher yields and more consistent quality.