Water for Agriculture

Water is an invaluable part of agricultural production and livestock husbandry. Penn State Extension offers access to educational resources on sustaining and using quality water for crops and livestock. Discover nutrient management techniques, learn how to test and improve agriculture water quality, and find water conservation tips.

Agriculture and Water

In agriculture, water is used for various purposes, including irrigation, frost control, and fertilizer and pesticide applications. To learn more about protecting water quality by optimizing the timing of fertilizer and manure application, have a look at the Fertilizer Forecaster webinar.

Agricultural water comes from three main sources – surface water, well water, and municipal water. On its way, however, water can pick up and move harmful microorganisms and pathogens. The risk for crop contamination is generally dependent on the water source and the time and process of water application.

Strategies to prevent contamination from agricultural water include regularly monitoring the microbial content of surface water, washing produces, and using indirect irrigation methods. Access PA Farm-A-Syst worksheets to discover more about protecting groundwater and identifying potential contamination sources.

Explore Penn State Extension webinars and publications on agricultural water to discover more about water rights for citizens, farmers, and officials in Pennsylvania. In addition, find details on agricultural water requirements and whether your farm needs to comply.

Water Quality: Irrigation and Livestock Use

Agricultural water quality plays an important role in crop growth, pesticide efficacy, and livestock wellbeing. Poor quality of water can result in contaminated produce, as well as various diseases in both animals and humans. This is why producers are strongly advised to test their water several times throughout the growing season.

To ensure adequate water quality for irrigation and livestock, have a water sample tested at a specialized laboratory. A proper water test includes alkalinity, pH, and soluble salts (such as Ca+ and Mg+).

As changes in the land use of a watershed can speed up the process of eutrophication and aquatic plant growth, testing soils for phosphorus and other nutrients is recommended, as well.

Learn more with Penn State Extension resources on understanding water test numbers, as well as interpreting irrigation water test results. Dairy cow producers can access further information on interpreting drinking water tests for dairy herds.

On-Farm Water Conservation

Water conservation is an important factor in sustainable agricultural production. Various management strategies can improve water use efficiency without compromising crop production and yield.

A common agricultural water conservation approach is implementing a trickle or drip irrigation system. Trickle irrigation tubes are typically buried in the root zone at planting time. The tubes may also be placed on the surface if – after planting – the weather turns dry. Learn the basics of drip irrigation and how to best apply it to crops with Penn State Extension’s webinar series.

Another prevalent method for conserving water on the farm is capturing and storing rainwater. This often includes building wells and using cisterns to collect runoff water from impervious areas.

Expand your knowledge on managing and conserving water for agriculture purposes with Penn State Extension educational content. Find advice on planning your water system and estimating water needs, as well as valuable tips on water conservation for communities.