Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1443765
WWW.POTATOGROWER.COM 45 other farm operations such as planting, cultivating and harvesting. 6. Plan and implement irrigation scheduling to use water efficiently. Irrigation scheduling requires knowing two things: 1) the appropriate amount of water to apply, and 2) when to apply that water. 7. Adopt and apply innovative technology to improve water management. The concept of "precision agriculture" relies extensively on technology to maximize the benefit of resources being used to grow a crop. The challenge of being able to grow enough food, fiber, feed and fuel for a growing world population will rely on the innovations in technology that can be applied to agriculture and adopted by the grower. 8. Maintain accurate records to facilitate better decisions on crop inputs. Good records that are organized and easily accessed are a great management tool. For efficient irrigation, it is particularly useful to keep track of weather data, water use, water quality, system performance and maintenance, energy costs, and efficiency analyses. 9. Anticipate water shortages and have planned strategies to respond. When it is necessary to reduce the amount of water being used, the principles of efficient irrigation offer the grower several strategies that may promote success. Improving the performance and efficiency of the irrigation system needs to be a high priority. Many experts have devoted their careers to improving agricultural crop production. While adequate water applied at the correct time is necessary to produce profitable, healthy crops, irrigation is just one part of all a grower must take into account. The principles for irrigation efficiency must work in harmony with other best practices for growing plants, including soil, nutrient and pest management. PG Idaho Power's Irrigation Efficiency Rewards program offers incentives for replacing worn sprinkler components. You can receive a cash incentive and lower your energy bill. idahopower.com/irrigation Lower your energy bill 4097-9IdahoPower13s.indd 1 4097-9IdahoPower13s.indd 1 1/3/22 10:07 AM 1/3/22 10:07 AM 4097-8SafeTPull13s.indd 1 4097-8SafeTPull13s.indd 1 1/3/22 10:04 AM 1/3/22 10:04 AM