Field sensors, satellite imagery, weather forecasts and crop data will enable more precise irrigation.
Cargill is partnering with Australian company Goanna on a new pilot project in the Mississippi Delta aiming to advance the irrigation efficiency of cotton fields.
The project will introduce new technology which can transform how and when farmers water their fields to optimise crop yields, reduce water withdrawals and lower operational costs.
The programme is initially available to a select number of cotton growers in Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi.
“Major retail brands have set goals related to water and are increasingly looking to supply chain partners like Cargill for data-backed sustainability solutions,” says Matt Dunbar, managing director of Cargill’s cotton business. “This pilot project underscores Cargill’s commitment to helping our customers meet those ambitions to advance sustainable agriculture and water conservation.”
Goanna, a leader in on-farm irrigation management operating in Australia and the USA, brings over 20 years of experience and data driven insights to the project. The Goanna GoField technology solution leverages field sensors, satellite imagery, weather forecasts and crop data to enable precise irrigation. This helps farmers optimise their water use, contributing to both increased crop yields and significant water conservation.
Participants in the pilot receive installation of the Goanna GoField technology and personalised training to optimise irrigation timing tailored to their specific soil and crop conditions.
“Goanna’s proven methodologies and easy to use tools can help cotton growers improve water-use efficiency, boosting crop yields and essentially delivering more crop per drop,” says Derek Brazda, vice president of Goanna’s sales in the USA. “Through our partnership with Cargill we are thrilled to offer programme participants solutions to improve water-use efficiency, reduce costs and promote long-term, sustainable outcomes.”
The pilot project aligns with Cargill’s global water ambition to enable the restoration of 600 billion litres of water and a reduction of 5,000 metric tons of water pollutants in water-stressed regions by 2030.
The Mississippi Delta region – home to the third largest area of irrigated cropland in the USA – is experiencing a significant decline in groundwater-levels, which poses a threat to water availability in the region. With more precise irrigation scheduling, the project is expected to maximise farmer yields while reducing the pressure on aquifer resources.