Whole Farm Water Management: Smarter Irrigation for Higher Yields
Efficient water management is critical to sustainable crop production, especially as growers face increasing pressures from climate variability, water scarcity, and the need to maximize yield with fewer resources.
And effective irrigation is more than just turning on a pivot—it’s about managing water as a strategic resource across an entire operation. Whole farm water management looks at how water is distributed through fields, how it’s applied, and how decisions are made to optimize every drop.
By combining infrastructure, automation, remote monitoring, and data analysis, growers can reduce waste, improve crop performance, and make more informed decisions throughout the season. At Lindsay, we support this integrated approach with proven technologies like Zimmatic™, FieldNET™, and FieldNET Advisor™, helping growers implement whole farm water management in the real world.
Building the Right Infrastructure
At the heart of any irrigation system is its physical infrastructure. Center pivots and lateral move systems are widely used because of their ability to deliver water consistently and efficiently across large areas. Built for durability, precision, and performance, Lindsay’s Zimmatic systems are trusted by growers worldwide to deliver consistent irrigation season after season.
Zimmatic pivots and laterals are built to help growers irrigate efficiently—whether they’re managing a small field or a large, multi-field operation. With durable construction and smart technology, these systems deliver full-field coverage, reduce labor, and boost crop performance. Zimmatic systems offer multiple tracking solutions to navigate diverse field conditions, including flat-proof wheels and multi-wheel tower structures for enhanced traction. These tools are designed to maintain consistent movement across rugged terrain while minimizing downtime.
Control Panels and Automation
Modern irrigation isn’t just mechanical—it’s digital. Control panels allow growers to automate schedules, adjust settings, and monitor system performance. Lindsay’s FieldNET™ and FieldNET Advisor™ enable growers to execute whole farm water management from anywhere, including the ability to start, stop, and adjust irrigation schedules. With intuitive, map-based insights and powerful data layers, including pressure, flow, rainfall, and temperature, FieldNET technology helps growers monitor their system, control it, and make data-driven decisions that save time, conserve water, and improve yields.
Monitoring Systems
Monitoring systems, both remote and on-site, give growers visibility into the performance and status of irrigation equipment in real time. This can reduce time in the field and allow for quicker response to issues. From system alerts to comprehensive reports, monitoring technology through FieldNET delivers visibility and peace of mind in and out of the field through the following options:
TowerWatch pinpoints a faulted tower instantly, saving growers time and unnecessary trips along the pivot. It monitors the alignment circuit and sends real-time alerts about which tower needs attention or when a fault has cleared.
FieldNET Pivot Watch allows growers to monitor their pivot operation any time, from anywhere. Easy to install and solar-powered, Pivot Watch offers remote control and enables real-time alerts that allow growers to quickly respond to field issues, helping boost yields while reducing time and labor.
METOS®delivers site-specific weather forecasting without the need for a physical weather station. Providing the same comprehensive insights as traditional stations, this innovative solution can be deployed anywhere on a farm, supporting smarter, data-driven irrigation decisions.
These tools improve response time, reduce field visits, and help prevent crop stress due to irrigation failures.
Data-Driven Decisions
One of the most powerful tools in whole farm water management is data analytics. Instead of guessing when and how much to irrigate, Lindsay’s FieldNET Advisor™ provides daily, field-specific recommendations that help maximize yield output and crop performance by reducing water stress and nutrient leaching—without additional sensors or probes in the field or the need to visually inspect every crop.
Every Drop Counts
At Lindsay, we understand the dedication and work it takes to feed the world. That’s why we’re committed to developing innovative systems that support a holistic, integrated water management approach—from pivot hardware to predictive software—that helps maximize every drop, every hour, and every acre. By leveraging tools like Zimmatic, FieldNET, and FieldNET Advisor, growers can reduce input costs, improve yields, and gain more control over their time and resources.