The importance of pivot sprinkler systems for irrigation efficiency
August 01-08, 2025
|Farmer's Weekly
Irrigation efficiency and uniformity are largely determined by correct sprinkler selection for your farm and your crop.
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When it comes to centre pivot irrigation, few things are as important as choosing the correct sprinkler package.
While a trustworthy machine structure forms the backbone of the system, it's the sprinklers that directly impact crop performance.
CHOICE OF SPRINKLERS
Sprinkler type and spacing largely determine irrigation uniformity and efficiency, both of which impact on yield.
Uniformity refers to delivering the same amount of water to every part of the field. This means each sprinkler should distribute water evenly within its wetted area. Sprinklers' wetted areas should overlap by at least 150%.
Efficiency is the percentage of water that actually enters the soil and benefits the crop, compared to the total amount discharged by the sprinkler. Factors like wind drift losses and evaporation losses significantly reduce efficiency. For centre pivots, we aim for an efficiency of above 80%.
REASONS TO UPGRADE
The cost of a spray package is minimal when compared to the significant benefits of using a high-quality option.
A new Agrico sprinkler package can be installed on any brand of pivot, and can be incredibly advantageous to your irrigation system:
• Modern systems maintain uniformity at lower pressures, reducing energy use.
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