MSU Offers Tools for Smarter Irrigation Scheduling

By Andi Anderson

Effective irrigation is essential for crop health and yield. To support farmers in managing water efficiently, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension and Purdue University Extension have created several helpful tools for irrigation scheduling.

One widely used method is the checkbook approach, which compares soil to a bank account. Rainfall and irrigation are “deposits,” while crop water use, or evapotranspiration (ET), is a “withdrawal.”

Here are the main tools available:

• MSU Enviroweather provides daily and weekly ET forecasts from 94 weather stations across Michigan. Farmers can track water needs in real time.
• MSU Soil Water Balance Sheet is a printable paper tool for farmers to manually log irrigation and rainfall data. It uses rPET (reference potential ET) values from either MSU, Purdue, or personal stations.
• MSU Excel Scheduler gives flexible scheduling for those who prefer spreadsheets. It allows input based on crop growth stages and weather data.
• Purdue Irrigation Scheduler is a simple digital tool that works for both Michigan and Indiana growers, using local weather data for accurate planning.
• IrrigMSU App delivers real-time irrigation alerts and recommendations based on weather, soil type, and crop needs. It is free and available in English and Spanish for Android and iOS.
• Soil Moisture Sensors enhance these tools by measuring soil moisture directly. These sensors help make more precise irrigation decisions and are explained in MSU’s publication E3445.

For farmers using drip irrigation systems, schedulers can be adjusted by converting rates from inches to gallons using a standard formula. A guide from Oklahoma State University offers more on this process.

All of these tools support compliance with Michigan’s Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices (GAAMPs). For full details and downloads, visit the MSU Extension Irrigation website and check Fact Sheet #3 – Irrigation Scheduling Tools.

Smart irrigation starts with the right tools—and these options make water management easier and more efficient.

Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu-extension