Demonstration and Evaluation of Precision Pivot Irrigation Controls to Optimize Dairy Waste Application

The project will target dairy producers that have waste-applying center pivot (CP) irrigation systems in fields with either, known environmentally sensitive areas, overlapping conditions with adjacent pivots, or other soil/slope variations that create management problems by limiting useable areas for waste application. The University of Georgia has developed a Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) precision pivot control that integrates GPS positioning into a control system. The control system cycles individual sprinklers or groups of sprinklers OFF and ON (seconds ON per minute) and varies travel speed to achieve desired application rates within management zones. VRI has the potential to give dairy operators the ability to fine tune their waste water application, avoiding the environmentally sensitive “setback” areas as the CP makes its way around the field, eliminating over watering in overlap areas, and optimizing application in other areas. As part of the project, 6-8 suitable operators/systems (VRI-suitable, EQIP-eligible, interested producer) will be identified and have the VRI technology installed (90% from this grant, 10% from producer) on their waste-applying CP systems. Project members will coordinate all efforts of the identification and installation process between the vendor and the producer(s). Members will also monitor and evaluate the operational performance and effectiveness of the VRI systems. Field days and demonstrations will be held to disseminate information to producers on the benefits of using precision controls on their waste application pivots. Publications and other information that can be distributed and presented in various forms (i.e. Extension bulletins, newsletters, journal articles, flyers, web material, etc.) will be developed.