A sprinkler oozing water out to plants appears. The screen splits into halves, shifting the picture to the right. Simultaneously, the left side introduces the video’s title, “Conservation in Agriculture,” creating a seamless visual transition.
A sprinkler system gently irrigates a tunnel dug into the soil, saturating it with water. Lining either side of the tunnel are thriving plants benefiting from the moisture provided by the sprinkler.
Fertile soil and clean water—these are two of the basic components of life, upon which agriculture relies.
A man using a tablet to correct the timings.
As stewards of these resources, agricultural producers are concerned with their conservation.
A lush green field with a dirt pathway to walk appears. A text box at the bottom of the screen indicates, “Soil conservation includes preventing erosion or decrease in fertility.”
Soil conservation includes preventing erosion or decrease in fertility.
A stream of muddy rainwater appears, and a text box at the bottom reads ‘moving water is the main cause of soil erosion.”
Moving water is the main cause of soil erosion.
Numerous sprinklers are active, dispersing liquid across the expanse of the grass. A thin stream with lush plants on either side appears.
Rains or excessive irrigation on barren soil can dislodge and transfer valuable topsoil to nearby streams and rivers.
A barren land appears.
When topsoil is removed, the land becomes less fertile and productive.
The screen splits in two, and the scene slides to the right. On the left, the header reads, “Soil Erosion Prevention Method.” And pointers include ‘leaving crop residue,’ ‘planting cover crops,’ ‘using reduced tillage programs,’ ‘practicing contour farming,’ ‘planting grass waterways and windbreaks’, and ‘installing water and sediment control basins.’
Farmers can prevent soil erosion by implementing these methods: leaving crop residue or planting cover crops, using reduced tillage programs, practicing contour farming, planting grass waterways and wind breaks, and installing water and sediment control basins. How do these methods work?
A wheat field appears.
Crop residue creates small natural obstacles which slow water run-off, dry plants absorb water, and plant roots hold the soil together.
A vibrant green-colored tractor plows through a wheat field, imprinting wheel tracks on the grass. A green-colored tractor reappears, ploughing the grass.
Reduced tillage systems leave plant residue from previous crops on the soil surface. No-till systems are even more effective because the soil is never disturbed between crops—thus the soil is not susceptible to erosion.
Rows of thick, lush plants appear. A text box at the bottom of the screen indicates, "Terraces are soil structures that break steep slopes into a series of levels or steps.’ Pan view of rows of lush plants with dirt between them appears.
Terraces are soil structures that break steep slopes into a series of levels or steps. Terraces usually follow the contour of the slope to slow the flow of runoff water across the soil surface in the field.
Pan view of curved rows of lush plants with dirt between them. A text box at the bottom of the screen indicates, "Contour farming allows farmers to plant to the contour of the land instead of straight rows."
Contour farming allows farmers to plant to the contour of the land instead of planting crops in straight rows.
A region with dry grass appears. A lush region on a plot of land with a text bar at the bottom stating, ‘Grass waterways are planned areas that carry water down hillsides’ appears.
This allows for greater water absorption and less runoff. Grass waterways are planted areas that carry water down hillsides.
The grass is grown around lush plants in a field.
The grass and its roots ensure the soil does not erode and form gullies where the water naturally flows.
Grasses are planted next to a lush field. The text box mentions, "Windbreaks are rows of planted trees on the edge of a field that help slow wind flow."
Windbreaks are rows of planted trees on the edge of a field that help slow wind flow.
A large field with dry soil appears.
Dry soil is susceptible to wind erosion.
A house in the middle of the field with dry soil appears. A damaged vehicle rests on the dry soil while a house looms in the background. The house is shrouded in a swirling cloud of dust.
During the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl was created when years of drought resulted in major dust storms.
A sprinkler oozes water into a shallow pathway with plants on either side. Rows of sprinklers hang from a device.
Agricultural producers combine water management practices with effective irrigation application systems to conserve this valuable resource.
A farmer removes corn from a cornfield, and water cascades from a sprinkler into a shallow pathway.
To prevent waste, farmers must closely monitor soil and crop conditions, and regulate water application.
The screen splits in half, and rows of suspended sprinklers hooked from a suspension device appear on the right. On the left, the heading reads, ‘Efficient Water Application Methods’ with pointers stating ‘localized irrigation, and ‘sprinkler irrigation.’
Efficient methods of water application used today include localized irrigation and sprinkler irrigation.
Rows of young, burgeoning plants come into view. A close-up reveals delicate flowers blooming on select plants. Suspended sprinklers align in rows, activated above a lush field, showering the grass with liquid.
Depending on their crop, terrain, and water supply, farmers may rely on natural rainfall or use one or more methods of irrigation.
The screen splits into two. A close-up of a working sprinkler appears on the right. On the left, a header stating ‘ Localized irrigation’ appears with pointers ‘drip,’ ‘spray,’ ‘micro sprinkler,’ and ‘bubbler.’
Localized irrigation includes drip, spray, micro sprinkler, and bubbler systems.
Two large cylindrical devices are linked by thick tubes—one tube is red, and the other is blue.
Localized drip irrigation systems use tubing, valves, pipes, and emitters to deliver water directly to the plant roots.
An aerial view of a lush field appears.
When properly designed and applied, localized drip irrigation systems are very efficient.
Suspended sprinklers, mounted on wheels, moving on a field, sprinkling water across the expanse.
Sprinkler irrigation includes center pivot and lateral systems. Center pivot sprinkler systems are used in large crop fields for precise water delivery.
Tubes and pipes with a red box at the center of the central base appear. Suspended sprinklers move across the field, evenly dispersing water throughout the field.
Water enters the system at a central base then travels through an elevated main pipe where it is distributed through spans, drops, and sprinklers over the crop.
An aerial view of a circular, lush region with mountains appears.
The pivot moves in a circular pattern around the field.
Tubes and pipes of the lateral system on wheels appear.
Lateral systems operate in much the same way but travel in a rectangular pattern.
A man using an electronic tablet to control sprinklers on a field appears. The screen splits into halves. A man adjusts readings on a device on the right. On the left, the Header reads ‘Modern Center Pivot Controls,’ and pointers read ‘program pivot to start and stop,’ ‘change water/chemigation schedules and rates,’ ‘Program pumps and pressures’, and ‘change position of equipment in the field’ appears.
Technologies on modern center pivots allow producers to efficiently monitor and control each machine. They can program the pivot to start and stop, change water or chemigation schedules and rates, program pumps and pressure, and change the position of equipment in the field—all remotely!
A suspended sprinkler system moving through a field appears.
When properly designed and managed, these systems are highly efficient irrigation tools.
A drip sprinkler gently releases water into a narrow pathway with lush plants on both sides. Another scene depicts a mound of soil adjacent to rows of lush plants.
Farmers use best management practices to help conserve resources. They are the first-line defense in protecting soil and water resources!
Suspended sprinklers sprinkle water onto a field.