GrainsWest Fall 2018

Fall 2018 grainswest.com 23 canopy and maintaining irrigation while crops are flowering and pollinators are active. “It’s not just one change you make, it’s two or three in the system,” said Coles. I moved to a precision planter, and I pre- cisely put that over the lines. I have precision fertilizer through the drip system in conjunction with zero tillage—three sets of changes that together might make a big difference.” WEIGHING THE BENEFITS Irrigation isn’t common in Peace Country, but recent droughts and the prediction of diminished future precipitation have farmers consider investing in systems. In 2016, the Mackenzie Applied Research Association (MARA) started surface drip irrigation trials, making it an irrigation innovator. With financial support from the Alberta Wheat Commission, MARA field trials are assessing the effects of drip irrigation and fertigation on wheat. Because moist crop environments favour fungi growth, fungicide use is incorporated in the trials. “Before the irrigation project, we had only one producer in the county who had a permit for irrigation. We’ve helped seven design systems and apply to the Alberta government for irrigation permits,” said Jacob Marfo, manager of MARA. Results are promising, showing increased yield when irri- gation and nitrogen application are combined, and that it’s a significant factor in increasing bushel weight and 1,000 kernel weight. While trial data is still being collected and analyzed, Marfo believes seeing the equipment in action helps area farmers assess their options. “We have one producer here with huge pivot irrigation looking at how he can either make that very efficient or change the whole system to drip,” he said. “People with old pivots are making modifications—changing the guns and nozzles or put- ting lines on the irrigation heads so wind doesn’t affect them.” Willemijn Appels is the Mueller applied research chair in Irri- gation Science at Lethbridge College. Her program works with farmers and irrigation companies to evaluate new irrigation tools and techniques, including soil moisture sensors, drones, weather stations, variable-rate and drip irrigation. “It’s sometimes difficult to figure out what’s valuable and what isn’t. Think about the tools you need to use your new technology to its potential,” said Appels. Appels is now conducting indoor, sub-surface drip irrigation trials year-round. Soil and irrigation equipment are contained within three wooden boxes sided with a transparent Lexan panel, allowing moisture penetration of the root zone to be viewed. With soil instrumentation, Appels follows moisture movement. More than a mere outreach project, it will produce management recommendations for Alberta crops and soils. In predicting the potential for increased Alberta cereal crop irrigation, Appels is pragmatic. “A lot of grains will also grow and produce yields without irrigation, but you will get a higher yield if you add extra water.” Similarly, while drip irrigation may offer a viable alternative to conventional systems and offers op- portunities for fertigation, Appels is hesitant to dub it the go-to irrigation setup for grain growers. “A quarter section put into sub-surface drip irrigation is not going to be economical,” she said. “For a weird corner or an oddly shaped piece of land where you need to make sub- stantial changes to a pivot or conventional irrigation system, it could work, but it will depend on local factors.” Drip irrigation research being carried out at Lethbridge College will generate soil and cropmanagement recommendations.