Dr. Dean Steele: Variable-Rate Irrigation & Water Management | Ep. 122

In this episode of The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Dean Steele from North Dakota State University discusses irrigation water management and precision irrigation systems. He covers variable-rate irrigation, soil moisture sensors, pulse-width modulation, evapotranspiration, and water-scheduling strategies for corn and potato production. Dr. Steele also shares insights into how sensor data and water-balance models improve irrigation efficiency. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Variable-rate irrigation reduces water application in low-lying areas and prairie potholes, preventing overwatering that leads to disease in potato fields and storage losses."

Meet the guest: Dr. Dean Steele is an Associate Professor in the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department at North Dakota State University. Professional interests include irrigation and environmental engineering, and irrigation water management. Research focuses on soil water sensors, variable-rate irrigation systems, and water-use efficiency in irrigated crop production, with applied work supporting producers and conservation professionals across the Northern Plains.

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (00:58) Introduction
• (04:43) Variable-rate irrigation systems
• (09:43) VRI application precision
• (14:53) Irrigation scheduling methods
• (19:14) Evapotranspiration
• (21:58) Teaching programs at NDSU
• (27:01) Final questions

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