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Save ENERGY, Save MONEY
Conservation Practices that Save: Irrigation Water Management
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Drip irrigation used on
vineyards in New Mexico. |
As premier stewards of our Nation’s private lands, farmers and ranchers have
several available options that can help save energy while they implement the
latest conservation technologies. Irrigation water management plays a crucial
role in the conservation of water, and it can also save the producer money.
Agricultural water supply is emerging as a critical natural resource issue.
Irrigated agriculture is essential in meeting our food and fiber production
needs. As the Nation’s largest water user, agriculture accounts for about 80
percent of the country’s annual water consumption.
Irrigation water management encourages the application of water in an amount
that meets the need of the growing plant in a manner that avoids extended soil
saturation and runoff. By increasing application precision and reducing unneeded
applications, water can be conserved and energy can be saved.
According to the 2002 Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey, approximately 27 million
U.S. acres are under sprinkler irrigation. About 80 percent of these acres use
center pivot systems. Studies on the High Plains show that if the acres under
medium pressure systems were converted to low pressure, the energy savings could
add up to $15 per acre. The conversion of high-pressure systems to low pressure
could result in savings of up to $66 per acre.
Other types of irrigation systems can be upgraded to increase irrigation
efficiency. Switching from high or medium pressure drip sprinklers to low
pressure systems can conserve water and reduce distribution costs.
Diesel-powered pumps are used on about 10 million irrigated acres. A 10 percent
improvement in water-use efficiency could reduce annual diesel consumption by 8
gallons per acre, saving about $18,000 on 1,000 acres. Nationwide, farmers could
save up to 27 million gallons of fuel and $55 million per year. Replacing old
diesel engines and pumps with new, energy-efficient models would further reduce
fuel consumption and emissions.
In addition to improving irrigation pumping and application systems, producers
can convert to crops that use less water or implement a water recovery program.
NRCS provides technical assistance to install conservation practices that save
producers money and improve the environmental health of the Nation. For more
information on energy-saving conservation practices, visit the NRCS “Save
ENERGY, Save MONEY” Web site at
www.nrcs.usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
May 2006
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Conservation
Practices that Save: Irrigation Water Management
Helping People Help the Land
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