Wednesday, 24 August 2011

Tips to Choose the Best Farm Irrigation System for You

By Eva Swart


Farm irrigation is the deliberate application of water to field sand pastures. This is done to ensure health of the crops and grasses that keep a farm productive ever during winters and droughts.

Without an efficient irrigation system, a farm is at risk of its pastures drying out during long periods of no rain. In this case, profits may dry up with the fields.

But choosing the right irrigation system for your farm can be tricky. What exactly is it that sets great irrigation apart from the rest? Great irrigation is designed to minimize cost, waste and effort--it will get the right amount of water to the right places with perfect efficiency.

Application of the Water

Applying the 'right amount' of water to the land means that enough is used to keep the crops and grass thriving, but with no excess water. In addition to being a waste of resources, excess water can cause damage to your fields by causing soil erosion, run-off and pooling.

This means that you need to consider the rate of application. This is the amount of water that is applied over a certain amount of time. A slower rate of application means that more water will be absorbed by the soil, which leads to less run-off and pooling. It also means that you spend less time moving the system, as it can run for longer.

Look for a system that offers you a choice of application rates. When you purchase a system, you should be put in contact with an irrigation expert who can advise you on an ideal rate of application for your farm and your personal needs.

Cost

Before you purchase an irrigation system, look first at capital cost. Only you know what your budget allows as far as an irrigation system goes, and it's important that you use your money in the way that's best for you. Remember though, there is more to the cost of farm irrigation than the sticker price.

A low initial cost is meaningless if the system needs to be replaced in a few years. Before you buy, learn all you can about each brand's reputation for durability as well as any product guarantees available.

Additionally, it pays to think about the future of your business. Expanding your farm later on entails expanding your irrigation system. Some systems can be expanded easily while others do not. If a system cannot grow seamlessly with your business, you may find yourself having to purchase an entirely new system down the road.

Effort

Another cost to be considered is your time. If managing your farm's irrigation system keeps you from attending to other important areas of business, or requires hiring additional help, your irrigation system can become a serious cost. Be sure to measure the ease of management against the initial capital cost.




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