Center Pivot vs Drip Irrigation
Providing a Clear Choice for You
In recent years, two effective and efficient irrigation
methods have emerged as the leading technologies
— drip and center pivots. Although there are
distinct advantages and disadvantages to each method, there are also truths and myths to consider. So, how do
you make a decision between the two? You compare the facts.
There are at least four important areas
where you should pay special attention:
- • Your annual return on investment
- • Your initial investment costs
| | - • Water efficiency
- • Crop versatility
|
After fully analyzing these issues, you will find that center pivot
irrigation is clearly the choice for you. And, when it comes to
center pivots, you will not find better products than
those from Valmont® Irrigation.
- The uniformity of drip systems appear to degrade over time.
- The design of drip systems is critical to good water uniformity.
- Drip systems tend to get clogged from salty water.
- Center pivots and linear are less expensive to install on large plots and have higher resale values.
- Drip systems become more cost-competitive in small fields and irregularly shaped fields.
- Center pivots and linears may last up to 30 years if properly maintained, versus 10 to 15 years for drip.
- On-going maintenance costs for drip are three to five times higher than for center pivots and linears.
- Operating costs for energy use are similar, but center pivots and linears typically require much less labor.
- Drip often is favored on tall, permanent crops, especially when the field is not laid out to use center pivot and linear equipment.
- Center pivots and linears are preferred in sandy soils.
- Center pivots and linears support foliar application of chemicals and crop cooling.
- Center pivots and linears are preferred where frequent crop rotations are used.
- Drip systems are less adaptive and less forgiving to poor management practices.
- Drip is more flexible for some existing infrastructure.
- Surface drip irrigation has slightly higher efficiency than low-energy precision center pivot and linear application (LEPA) (95% versus 90% - 95%) in research installations.
- No known studies yet compare actual on-farm efficiency.
Your Local Valley Dealer
Only your local Valley dealer can give you the specifics on using center pivot irrigation for your operation. Find your dealer today!