Sprinkler and Furrow Irrigation Trends Texas High Plains

DECLINING groundwater storage, high pumping energy costs, and low farm profits are causing major changes in irrigation in the Texas High Plains. Irrigation surveys indicated that during a decade of decline starting about 1974, furrow irrigated crop area has declined by 39%, while sprinkler irrigated area continued to expand through 1979 and declined by 3% by 1984. The decline in furrow irrigation is associated with systems that have relatively low estimated application efficiencies, primarily associated with deep percolation loss on moderately permeable soils. Two expanding technologies that will continue to improve irrigation application efficiencies are Low Energy Precision Application for center pivot and lateral move systems and surge flow application in graded furrow systems.