SOIL MOISTURE SENSORS
Producers in the Mini-Cassia region of Southern Idaho are finishing up the third year of a Moisture Monitoring project involving the use of Soiltech moisture sensors in crop fields.
The Soiltech moisture sensors provide real-time data on soil moisture, temperature, and humidity. A number of farmers in the East Cassia, Minidoka and West Cassia Soil and Water Conservation Districts say they are getting improved real-time information about soil moisture, which can help landowners be more precise with their use of water for irrigation.
Some of the Mini-Cassia farmers have commented that they didn’t realize that they had been over- watering their crops, District officials said. By using the moisture monitors, they have been able to reduce pivot sprinkler rotations, officials said.
“It’s been really insightful to see what the soil moisture conditions are,” said Jason Webb, an East Cassia District farmer who grows sugar beets, potatoes, wheat and corn. Webb has been using the sensors in potato and beet fields. “It’s been a good tool for us.”
The hardest part is getting everything set up, Webb said. The Soiltech sensors need to be buried 6”-8” below the ground in crop fields, and software and apps need
Soiltech moisture sensor device. Moisture monitors should be buried about 6”-8” in a field so they can detect moisture, humidity and temperature in the plant root zone. (Soiltech photo)
And the crop water needs are dynamic throughout the growing season.”
