The decision to irrigate - Irrigation Economics

Scott Sanford, John Panuska, UW Biological Systems Engineering Department

Given that some regions of Wisconsin (notably northern) have not received adequate rainfall thus far, questions on irrigation may arise. Included below are some helpful references for you and/or your clients to consult when considering the purchase of irrigation equipment.

The purchase of an irrigation system should be considered a long term investment/practice that increases the net farm income over dryland production. In Wisconsin, irrigation will be the most cost effective (higher return on investment) for high value crops (i.e. vegetable crops, fruits, seed).  If a client has access to low cost equipment, has
a water source and is growing a relatively high value crop, then it may be cost effective to irrigate only in dry years. In-lieu of irrigation equipment, crop insurance would be the next best investment this year. The accompanying references will help in making that determination.

http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/nrcsirrig/irrig-handbooks-part652-chapter11.html

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ageng/irrigate/ae92w.htm

http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/resmgmt/publist/500series/580000-3.pdf