Well Management For Farms Looking Into Efficiency

How do you water your farm? Do you have a well pump that can push out enough fluid to cover your irrigation needs, or are you constantly priming the pump and finding new areas that aren't being watered properly? Here are a few concerns to keep in mind as you check your well and general irrigation plan for efficiency boosts and overall improvement.

Well Pump Power And Power Bill Management

Delivering water to strategic locations across the farm is necessary for cutting down on labor and saving time, but you need to be aware of the waste. You could be wasting water, wasting power, or wasting time.

The best way to automate water deliver at a low cost level would be to connect a hose to a powered pump at the well. The hose will go towards your crops, watering trough, or other water destination, and should fill at a fast enough rate to be done before you need to leave the farm for the day. A step up to this plan involves a timer on the pump.

Unfortunately, water can be wasted with the hose connection becomes loose or if the watering areas are damaged. If you're using drip irrigation, the holes could be getting clogged up as dirt moves or turns into mud and covers the port.

You also need to check the power consumption of the pump. Figure out the wattage compared to the horsepower, and figure out how much it costs on the local power grid. If you're using solar power, make sure that the pump operates long enough to deliver water in every area that needs irrigation. You may need to install a battery backup pack for smaller pumps.

For liquid fuel such as gasoline, kerosene, or diesel, local prices can change your ability to provide water efficiently. Consider switching to solar at least as a backup in case of fuel shortages.

Proper Hose Placement And Irrigation Direction

When feeding hoses to their target location, make sure that you're placing everything on a decline to the best of your ability. Every incline will create more work for the pump in order to send water to the proper location, and making sure that most of the hose is pointing down the ground will help.

You don't need to fight against slightly bumps and small rocks. Just make sure that you're not sending too many hoses up walls or over fences if you can help it. If you have to move upwards, make sure to check the water delivery and get a stronger pump if the water pressure isn't strong enough.

Contact a water well professional to discuss well placement and well technology to keep your irrigation plans as efficient as possible.