GPS Makes Underground Drip Irrigation Work

GPS Makes Underground Drip Irrigation Work IRRIGATION Irrigation Systems 27-2-28 A Kansas farmer is making an expensive Trimble AgGPS Autopilot system pay off by using it to lay underground irrigation tape in precise rows. "It lets us map out exactly where the tape is so we can plow right up next to it without worrying about damaging it," says Harlan Downing. He has equipped his tractors with Trimble's system. He says he's seen real moisture and compaction control benefits using Autopilot to strip-till and plant. Even his sprayer and grain cart stay in designated traffic patterns in the fields. Underground drip tape is buried 16 in. deep. Max Bell, owner of Western Sprinklers, Inc., of Colby, Kansas, says, "As water comes up from that depth, it eliminates the plow pan. With automatic steering, we know where the tape is so we can space the rows exactly 15 in. to either side of the tape on 60-in. centers." Without indexing and automatic steering, some plants will dominate the available water, while others will be too far away. "If you get even 10 in. off center, you end up with corduroy growth," says Downing. "With Autopilot, we are basically right on the line, maybe 0.4 in. left or right." Downing admits that drip is still too expensive for production grain systems, and Bell agrees. "Drip irrigation has some merit with smaller 20 to 30-acre fields now, but on larger fields drip is still too expensive," says Bell. In the meantime, Downing plans to put in more drip irrigation this coming year for vegetable crops. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Harlan Downing, Top Ag, Inc., Rt. 3, Colby, Kansas 67701 (ph 785 626-3667; fax 785 626-3303; E-mail: Hdowning@colbyweb.com).

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