Agrimanagement is capable of monitoring soil moisture levels via four different methods:

I. Gravimetric soil water content, our traditional method, utilizes multiple core composites to depth to describe the soil moisture profile. This method provides for ultimate flexibility.

II. TDR (time domain reflectometry) rods can be inserted and electronic readings taken. This method is especially suitable for permanent crops.

III. Water Mark sensors are used in some situations where field variation is a concern as multiple stations can be installed and monitored at a reasonable cost.

IV. Decagon Ech₂o sensors, a real-time moisture sensing system provides another option for those who are concerned with precision management. The capability exists for us to bring this data into the home office computer via radio transmission for easy access and convenient viewing.

In our traditional method (I), each week or every other week, we will visit the field equipped with air-tight canisters and soil probes. These probes are capable of coring to 4' or 5' depth, depending on the crop or location of the hard pan. Rather than coring at a single location, we walk the field in a pre-defined "representative sample strip". The soil collected will be a composite over a geographic area for a given foot depth. In some circumstances, we have found advantages and flexibility to this over single point sampling.

Once the soil has been collected it is mixed and transferred to metal cans. The metal cans are then weighed, baked in an oven and weighed again. This "percent water by weight" (gravimetric approach) is reported to the grower in terms relative to the field capacity (water holding capacity of the soil) as percent available water. The computerized report format presents several components: field growth stage, percent water in terms of available water, and inches of profile depletion. We also include general scouting information and project the next weeks crop water use (ETP x crop coefficient). The crop coefficient helps both to further assess the crop's water requirements and to formulate a probable irrigation schedule.

Each report includes a graph, which represents the changes in available soil moisture. This trend is important to show you where the level of soil moisture has been and where it will go if a schedule is unchanged. The graph provides an important tool for growers to track the changes of the available soil moisture and present a gauge of how much more or less water may be required. This data can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed per your preference.

In approach II, Moisture Point™ TDR rods of 2, 3 or 4 foot lengths are inserted permanently in the field. These rods are read periodically by a portable TDR measuring device. Information on the computerized reports is presented the same as by approach I.

Approach III entails the installation of Water Mark sensors in representative locations. Readings are taken on a weekly or every other week schedule. The data is presented graphically to show trends and a detailed recommendation is included as well.

Approach IV uses installed capacitance sensors that are left in the field year round, unless removal for crop rotation is necessary. The sensors are attached to data loggers that record moisture readings at specified intervals in % volumetric water content. The data loggers can be equipped to send this data via radio transmission to a “base station” where the data can be viewed on your personal computer.

If you are interested in learning more about your crop and it's water requirements or you would like to discuss our sampling services please contact, Don Jameson, or Scott Stephen.