Irrigation Management
This project aims to enhance water use efficiency in timothy hay production through data-driven irrigation management. By utilizing soil sensor data, the project aims to optimize irrigation scheduling, thereby improving water-use efficiency.
Two dual-depth (0-6” and 6-12”) soil sensors were installed within the timothy field to monitor seasonal soil moisture. Alongside the soil sensors, C4i’s DJI Mavic 3 drone was used to capture high-resolution aerial imagery, providing a clear picture of crop vigor and field variability throughout the growing season. Together, these tools support precise irrigation timing and improved water management in timothy hay production.
This project partners with Cash Cattle Company, a commercial agricultural operation in southeastern Alberta. The field serves as a research site to assess precision irrigation tools within operational agricultural settings. The collaboration helps ensure the findings are practical and relevant to local producers.
The project demonstrates how soil sensors and drone technology can guide irrigation decisions in crop production. Utilizing real-time data allows producers to schedule irrigation more effectively, optimizing water use during a regular year or more recently, a year of irrigation district restrictions.