Changing to more efficient irrigation technologies in southern Alberta (Canada): an empirical analysis

Abstract

Results from an irrigator survey in southern Alberta (Canada) indicate that more than half of irrigators changed irrigation technologies during the five-year period (crop years 2007/08–2011/12) and this potentially improved application efficiency. Changes were made from flood irrigation to wheel-move sprinklers to high- and then low-pressure pivot systems. The intended future rate of change is lower than that experienced over the previous five years. Important factors causing these changes were identified: reducing irrigation application, labour and energy inputs, and increasing crop yields and quality. Econometric modelling shows that irrigators who have commenced the process of adopting more efficient sprinklers are full-time farmers, operate their farm as corporations or partnerships, obtain information from extension agencies, and are more likely to upgrade their technologies in future.

Keywords:

• sprinklers
• application efficiency
• factors influencing change
• econometric models
• Alberta

Notes

1. For the irrigation sector, water-use efficiency includes both application efficiency and conveyance efficiency.

2. The term ‘irrigators’ refers to irrigators in general. ‘District irrigators’ refer to irrigators locating in irrigation districts (IDs), and ‘private irrigators’ refer to irrigators located in private irrigation regions. In addition, we have divided district irrigators into two groups: large ID irrigators who locate in large IDs and small ID irrigators who locate in small IDs. Large IDs include Bow River, Eastern, Lethbridge Northern and St. Mary River IDs; and small IDs include Aetna, Leavitt, Magrath, Mountain View, Raymond, Ross Creek, Taber, United and Western IDs.

Additional information

Funding

The authors thank Alberta Innovates: Energy and Environment Solutions for financial support [Grant No: 1852], without which this research would not have been possible.