Soil moisture sensors save water, money
The Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer declines at 350,000 acre-feet each year primarily due to water withdrawals for crop irrigation.
To promote adoption of proven irrigation water-management practices, Mississippi Extension provides farmers with soil moisture sensors and installs the sensors. They offer season-long training and use of the sensor data for decision making.
All of the farmers who participated in the training planned to adopt soil moisture sensors.
Participating farmers reported that by using soil moisture sensors, they reduced water use in one year by two irrigation cycles saving about $20 per acre. Over 50,000 acres were represented in the program, which results in a $1 million savings per year. A two-irrigation reduction would generate over 4 million gallons of water saved just for the 25 program participants.
Link to full statement on website: https://landgrantimpacts.tamu.edu/impacts/show/5761