If you’re new to farming irrigation, it can seem a bit overwhelming. There are many different irrigation systems out there, making it hard to know which one is suitable for your farm. That’s why we’re here to arm you with the knowledge that you need to pick one. Read on and learn about the different irrigation systems for farms.
There are four categories of irrigation systems. They are:
- Flood
- Sprinkler
- Drip
- Micro
Flood Irrigation
First, we’ll look at flood irrigation systems. There are two types of distribution systems for flood irrigation.
- Furrow Irrigation. The irrigation water runs down specially designed furrows. Due to their slope and angle, they can provide a uniform application of water to your field. Water gets supplied through a PVC pipe that peeks above the ground. The opening is the ‘gate,’ where you pump in the water. You can adjust the entrance to control the flow of water to your furrow.
- Graded Border Irrigation. A narrow strip of your field features raised earth borders on each side. The water runs down the middle, and the barriers keep it from flowing elsewhere. The lengths of the edges get graded to a specific slope. That way, the water can disperse evenly among the field. An underground pipeline with a riser and valve supplies the water to the high ends of the border.
Sprinkler Irrigation Systems
Farms make unique use of sprinkler systems to irrigate their fields. The techniques include:
- Hand Move Pipes. You attach your sprinkler to the ends of 40-foot PVC pipes and divide your field into rows called laterals. You place each sprinkler head at the end of each lateral to ensure you water the entire area.
- Solid Sets. You install a permanent underground PVC pipe beneath your entire field. Risers come up out of this pipe with sprinkler heads attached. You can space out the sprinkler heads based on the size of the field.
With big processes like these, you’ll need to stay conscious of any signs of faulty irrigation.
Drip Irrigation
Drip systems use small poly tubing with emitters on top. These systems can apply water to small areas such as the root zone of your crops. You can install drip systems above ground or bury them to hide the tubing. Drip systems are popular due to their precision and versatility—they’re also huge in the world of hydroponics!
Micro Irrigation
Finally, we have micro irrigation systems. These get their name from small sprinklers that use low volumes of water. Micro irrigation systems are ideal for vineyards and orchards instead of large fields.
With so many options to choose from, make sure you select the right irrigation systems for your farm. It makes a big impact.
