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Irrigation Today @irrigationtoday

Irrigation Today is the ag irrigation resource for today’s growers.

Joined May 2019
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333 Photos and videos
Feeling whiplash from policy uncertainty? Here are four developments—including USDA funding, farm relief, EQIP baseline increases, and tax provisions—that may give irrigation professionals more planning confidence. bit.ly/3SdYi1I

Four signals Washington is turning from uncertainty to investment

IA policy director Andrew Morris identifies four policy developments giving irrigation professionals more planning certainty: USDA funding, farm relief, EQIP baseline increases and tax provisions.

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Could crop diversification be a practical way to reduce irrigation risk and steady farm income? This feature digs into the economic upside and the real-world barriers to making the switch. bit.ly/4uJAIs1

Crop diversity as an economic water strategy

Economist Renata Rimšaitė examines how crop diversification can reduce irrigation risk and stabilize farm income, while noting the real barriers growers face in making the switch.

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Irrigation isn’t just about moving water anymore. Think nutrients, chemicals and even oxygen, delivered with the same attention to uniformity. This one will change how you think about DU. bit.ly/49iJV24

Irrigation systems must be more than water delivery

Mazzei VP Jim Lauria argues that modern irrigation systems must deliver not just water but nutrients, chemicals and oxygen with the same uniformity — broadening how the industry defines distribution...

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Are you tracking what your center pivot is actually applying and how evenly? A look at flow meters, pressure sensors, telemetry and why the basics (like maintenance and uniformity checks) still pay off. bit.ly/4tKQi5o

Every inch counts

Flow meters, pressure sensors and telemetry are giving center pivot growers real-time visibility into water use — but the experts say regular maintenance and uniformity basics matter just as much.

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EQIP is evolving for 2026—new funding levels and a handful of key factors could shape what success looks like for irrigators. Get the policy breakdown: bit.ly/3PqKnUX

Federal policy spotlight: EQIP and irrigation in 2026 and beyond

IA policy director Andrew Morris breaks down the EQIP landscape for 2026: new funding levels under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and four key factors that will shape irrigators' success.

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What happens when block irrigation gets a modern upgrade? This feature looks at automation, sensing, and control tech that’s helping vineyards and orchards dial in efficiency without living in the field. bit.ly/4tvKCfA

Precision perfected

Modern automated block irrigation is transforming vineyards and orchards with smart valves, real-time sensing and AI guidance — helping growers optimize water, labor and yield quality.

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One grower, one shed and a pile of improvised parts. This is the origin story of the impact sprinkler and how it reshaped agricultural water delivery. Read more here: bit.ly/4nd9Mhk

The invention that changed irrigation

The impact sprinkler, invented by citrus grower Orton Englehart in 1930s Glendora, California, transformed agricultural water delivery and still shapes modern irrigation nearly a century later.

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The Spring 2026 digital edition of Irrigation Today magazine is LIVE! Start reading now about the invention that changed irrigation, modernizing block irrigation, the latest on EQIP and more. bit.ly/4tayj8p
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Rainfall isn’t reliable — resilience requires preparing for the next drought, not the last. Explore strategies shaping the future of water secure agriculture. Read more: bit.ly/4tjZdM1

Building resilience when rain can't be trusted

Rainfall variability in the eastern U.S. is forcing growers to adopt irrigation, but outdated water governance systems aren't ready for the shift.

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Trust, training and communication are critical to keeping manufacturers, dealers and growers aligned. Explore insights from across the supply chain. Read more: bit.ly/4sSqeWy

Bridging the gap: Lessons from the irrigation supply chain

Trust, training, and communication are critical to aligning manufacturers, dealers, and growers in the irrigation supply chain for long-term success.

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On farm reservoirs are getting renewed attention as growers face new rules and water supply challenges. See why storage is becoming essential again. Read more: bit.ly/3Q2W6Jg

Rethinking On-Farm Storage

On-farm reservoirs balance water delivery, improve system efficiency, and capture tailwater—but require strategic design, maintenance, and cost-benefit analysis.

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Deficit irrigation can boost crop quality — but only with precise timing and crop specific insight. Explore when it works and the risks involved. Read more: bit.ly/4uHX79Q

A Balancing Act

Deficit irrigation can improve crop quality and conserve water, but requires precise timing, monitoring, and crop-specific knowledge to avoid yield loss.

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Water quality isn’t one size fits all. Learn why testing salts and minerals is essential — and how tailored strategies protect crops and systems. Read more: bit.ly/4bKLE1r

Quality in question

Managing irrigation water quality starts with testing and understanding salt content, then tailoring strategies to water source, irrigation method, and crop needs.

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With federal agencies back online, growers regain access to key USDA and WaterSense programs. See what the funding deal means for irrigation in 2026. Read more: bit.ly/4l82bQd

Federal government reopens: What it means for irrigation

For the irrigation industry, the bill to reopen the government does more than restore day-to-day operations.

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Satellite powered ET data is becoming easier for growers to use — opening the door to smarter water decisions. See how OpenET is putting space tech in producers’ hands. Read more in Irrigation Today: bit.ly/3ZYk9eo

From space to field

OpenET makes satellite-based evapotranspiration data accessible to growers, enabling precise irrigation scheduling, water savings, and improved crop yields.

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⏱ Quick read: Quiet policy shifts can have big impacts. NRCS’s FY25 payment schedules now include subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) in several Midwest and Great Lakes states for the first time. 👉 Read about what changed and why it matters: bit.ly/4qQDfhx

Quiet but consequential: What NRCS payment schedules changed—and why it matters for irrigation

Most people track major changes in USDA NRCS programs when they’re announced loudly: new funding, new initiatives, new acronyms.

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The Winter 2026 digital edition of @irrigationtoday magazine is LIVE! Start reading now for insights into satellite-based approaches, managing water quality, deficit irrigation and more. bit.ly/4rY9OuN
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Precision or accuracy—which matters most in irrigation? Lessons from the dartboard reveal surprising insights for ag tech. 🎯 Read Jim Lauria's full piece: bit.ly/4reLBjQ
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Feeding the world means growing smarter. Discover how irrigation drives sustainable growth and food security. 🌾 Learn more: bit.ly/4kri4kj

Growth that feeds

Pro-growth tax policies and efficient irrigation technology work together to support both agricultural productivity and food affordability, creating a water-smart system that benefits farms and...

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Water policy isn’t just about conservation—it’s about economics. Learn how regulations shape costs, markets, and the future of irrigation. 💧 Read more: bit.ly/4rpCYmp
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