If you’re looking for a sustainable way to Save Water, protect the Environment and Save Money, here’s a countdown of the 10 Best Ways to Save Farm Water…
10. Going Organic
Trials have shown that crops grown in organic fields had up to 30% greater yields in years of drought – organic methods help retain soil moisture.
9. Conservation Tillage
Using special ploughs that partially till the soil, leaving 30% of vegetative crop residue on the surface, help increase water absorption and reduce evaporation.
8. Cover Crops
Crops such as grass and clover reduce weeds, increase soil fertility and organic matter, and help prevent erosion and compaction, improving water retention.
7. Compost and Mulch
Decomposed Organic Matter used as fertiliser has been found to improve soil structure, increasing its water-holding capacity.
6. Rotational Grazing
Good grazing management increases the fields’ water absorption and decreases water runoff, making pastures more drought-resistant.
5. Dry Farming
Dry Farmers don’t irrigate, relying on soil moisture to produce their crops during drought. Successful in combination with other strategies. Yields might be lower but flavours are more enhanced.
4. Drought-Tolerant Crops
Growing crops that are appropriate to the region’s climate. For instance, crops native to arid regions, such as olives, are naturally drought resistant.
3. Irrigation Scheduling
By carefully monitoring weather forecasts, soil and plant moisture, you can schedule irrigation to current conditions, avoid overwatering and save water.
2. Drip Irrigation
Delivering water directly to the plant’s roots, drip irrigation can save up to 80% more water than conventional irrigation.
1. PUMP & STORE WITH A RAM PUMP
If you have a natural watercourse on your farm, why wouldn’t you store water in times of plenty to use during dry periods? Why would you let free water run away? And by using surface water you would not be impacting on groundwater reserves and stressing aquifers.
For more information on Papa Pumps click here.
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