Irrigation is incredibly important for farmers in Texas, as the state is subject to some of the more severe droughts in the country. A recent study by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service has found many of the state's irrigation canals need to be upgraded in order to reduce water loss.
Approximately 1.2 million acres of agricultural land in the state are irrigated by canals, according to Western Farm Press. For many farmers, these canals are simply ditches that are dug into the earth. However, advancements in materials have allowed many canals to be upgraded so more water can be stored. Unfortunately, many farmers have not taken the steps necessary to improve their irrigation, even in the face of harsh droughts in parts of the state.
"A revolution in material sciences is happening with many new and innovative products coming on the market, including synthetic liners promoted for use in many applications," Dr. Guy Fipps, irrigation engineer for Texas AgriLife, told the news source.
To help sort out some of the confusion, the Extension Service undertook a study looking at many of the new synthetic liners available on the market. The study ultimately found that the absolute best way to line an irrigation canal is to first layer it with concrete - an expensive proposition for many farmers. Putting a synthetic liner over the concrete ultimately results in the best protection.
However, choosing a synthetic liner can be tricky. The group initially believed they'd find a clear-cut winner. As it turns out, different liners perform better for certain types of land. The liners can also be affected by cows stepping on them, kids playing in the canal and even mowing. Thus, the findings of the study have been published online so farmers can choose the best irrigation for their personal situation.
Farmers looking for irrigation tools, sprayers or any other kind of agricultural equipment should consider the online auction site IronPlanet. All items sold through IronPlanet are backed by the site's IronClad Assurance inspection reports, which allow buyers to know exactly what they're bidding on.
