Conserving Water On a Farm
Water is a critical farming resource that is used in almost every stage of the agricultural process. As certain areas have begun to see yearly droughts and water shortages, many farmers have started investigating ways to save water without impacting their crop yield. With the right techniques, farming can be made more sustainable while minimizing the potential sacrifices. If you’re interested in learning more, check out this guide from Arizona Tractor Sales.
Adopt a Dry-Farming Approach
The dry-farming approach involves focusing on crops that only need existing soil moisture to grow. If you implement this strategy, be sure to research your local microclimates. You’ll also need to fine-tune your equipment for a more specialized form of tilling so that you can make the most of your crop.
Go Organic
Organic farming methods can help conserve water in a few different ways. For one, organic farming doesn’t use pesticides, which typically use water in their application. Organic farming is also good for groundwater supplies since you won’t have to worry about pollutants. If applied correctly, organic farming methods can boost your yield by up to 30%, so try it sometime!
Use Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation is another popular water conservation strategy. By delivering the water directly to your crops’ roots, this method reduces the amount of water wasted on dry ground. Best of all, drip irrigation still provides your crops with all the water they need, meaning there’ll be no reduction in yield. You might even see a boost!
Schedule Irrigation Around Rainfall
A simple but effective way to conserve water is to plan around the weather. By simply paying attention to the weather report, you can skip watering on days that see a lot of rain. This will also give you more forewarning about weather that might potentially harm your crops!
Choose Drought-Tolerant Crops
As droughts become more common, many farmers are switching to crops that can thrive with little to no water. A few examples include millet, certain legumes, sorghum, and pomegranates.
For more about conserving water or to shop our selection of tractors, check out Arizona Tractor Sales based out of Chandler, Arizona. We also offer tractor servicing and financing. We are proud to serve the Western United States.