Water and irrigation

Question 1

Why is water always a concern to producers in the Canadian Prairies?

Answer 1

It is the primary limiting factor to crop production.

Question 2

When described in terms of water, or from a “water” perspective, what are the two types of farming?

Answer 2

Dry land and Irrigated

Question 3

Describe dry land and Irrigated.

Answer 3

 Dry land (Rainfed) (majority of prairie agriculture)  Irrigated: the artificial application of water to land to assist in the production of crops.

Question 4

What are the two main types of irrigation?

Answer 4

1. Wheel/Lateral move
2. Centre Pivot

Question 5

Identify

Answer 5

Wheel/Lateral

Question 6

I.D.

Answer 6

Centre Pivot

Question 7

First Central Pivot in AB (and Canada)

 What City?

 What year did it arrive and from what State and how long was it used?

Answer 7

 First centre pivot irrigation in Canada Burdett, AB

 In 1962 from Nebraska, used for 25 years

Question 8

ID the type of Irrigation

Answer 8

Ditch/Furrow Irrigation

Question 9

ID the type of Irrigation

Answer 9

Ditch/Furrow Irrigation

Question 10

ID the type of Irrigation

Answer 10

Sprinkler/Overhead Irrigation

Question 11

ID

Answer 11

Sprinkler/Overhead Irrigation

Question 12

Irrigation in Southern Alberta

1. What is the crop under the biggest area of irrigation and what is its percentage?
2. what is second and its percentage?
3. WhaT IS THIRD?
4. what is fourth?

Answer 12

1. Forage 43.2%
2. Cereal 30.7
3. specialty crops 13%
4. oilseed 9.6%

Question 13

Irrigation Advantages

four/six

PIAM

OA

Answer 13

 Producer controls the amount of water

 Increase in yield

 Another means of fertilizer application

 May aid in insect pest management

(⁵Opportunity to grow a wider variety of crops,

⁶Aid in temperature management)

Question 14

Irrigation Disadvantages

4/6

OW c i S

C to I a M S

C o W t t I D

T of I

Answer 14

Disadvantages
 Overwatering can increase soil salinity

 Cost to install and maintain system

 Cost of water to the irrigation district

 Timing of irrigation

(⁵ Leaching ⁶ Restrictions on water use in drought years)

Question 15

Approximately how much is a 130-acre centre pivot system?

Answer 15

 Between $750,000 to $1,000,000

Question 16

Where is irrigation for field crops restricted to?

Answer 16

Irrigation for field crops is restricted to the southern prairies in regions with the i_nfrastructure established for irrigation_

Question 17

Irrigation Districts in Alberta

 In the south, areas that have access to irrigation are divided into districts

 There are ? districts (in the South Saskatchewan River Basin) that are all members of

 (AIPA)

Answer 17

13

Alberta Irrigation Projects Association

Question 18

In addition, more than ? private irrigation projects that have the authorization to use Alberta’s water resources.

These projects are totally funded, developed and operated by their ?.

Answer 18

2,700

licensees