A method of automatically managing a center pivot irrigation machine comprising steps of: (a) providing at least one center pivot irrigation machine and positioning said center pivot irrigation machine such that said center pivot irrigation machine is movable within an irrigated plot around a center thereof; (b) providing a ground penetration radar; (c) mounting said ground penetration radar on said center pivot irrigation machine; (d) moving said center pivot irrigation machine about said center of said irrigated plot; (e) scanning said irrigated by said ground penetration radar at frequencies ranging between 200-1200 MHz; (f) calculating a distribution of soil moisture over a depth from a soil surface; and (g) creating an irrigation plan according to said distribution.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for treating irrigation water by introducing a propagating electromagnetic field into the irrigation water as it flows through an irrigation system. The treatments described herein may have a variety of beneficial effects when applied to hydrophobic soils, including a significant increase in the percentage of the water that is maintained in the root zone of a given crop as plant-available water and the essential mineral, e.g. calcium and/or magnesium, uptake of that crop. The treatments described herein may also have beneficial effects when applied to hydrophilic soils, and particularly high salinity, hydrophilic soils, including a reduction in the soil salinity, including the amount of chlorates, within a root zone of a crop.

An automated implement control system includes one or more distance sensors configured for coupling with an agricultural implement. The one or more distance sensors are configured to measure a ground distance and a canopy distance from the one or more sensors to the ground and crop canopy, respectively. An implement control module is in communication with the one or more distance sensors. The implement control module controls movement of the agricultural implement. The implement control module includes a confidence module configured to determine a ground confidence value based on the measured ground distance and a canopy confidence value based on the measured canopy distance. A target selection module of the implement control module is configured to select one of the measured ground or canopy distances as a control basis for controlling movement of the agricultural implement based on the comparison of confidence values.

An automated implement control system includes one or more distance sensors configured for coupling with an agricultural implement. The one or more distance sensors are configured to measure a ground distance and a canopy distance from the one or more sensors to the ground and crop canopy, respectively. An implement control module is in communication with the one or more distance sensors. The implement control module controls movement of the agricultural implement. The implement control module includes a confidence module configured to determine a ground confidence value based on the measured ground distance and a canopy confidence value based on the measured canopy distance. A target selection module of the implement control module is configured to select one of the measured ground or canopy distances as a control basis for controlling movement of the agricultural implement based on the comparison of confidence values.

Monitoring systems for center pivot irrigation systems and methods of irrigating an agricultural crop using the irrigation systems are provided. The irrigation systems may comprise a plurality of in-canopy sprinklers. The monitoring systems are configured to detect an operational condition of the plurality of in-canopy sprinklers, including whether individual sprinkler heads have become detached from the irrigation system main line, or whether an individual sprinkler head has become clogged, and alert an operator with a time and/or location of the occurrence of an event associated with one or more of the sprinklers.

A ponding monitoring and detection system monitors, detects, and predicts ponding in an irrigated field in essentially real-time. The ponding monitoring and detection system also monitors and records locations of detected and predicted ponding.

A portable sprinkler device is disclosed herein. The portable sprinkler device is configured to deliver a personalized combination of water, weed killer, lawn fertilizer, and insect control serum. The device may include a wireless control unit capable of communicating with a user interface. The wireless control unit may be configured as a Bluetooth-ready device. The user interface may further include a base station or other portable electronic device. The device is useful for delivering a combined liquid-based lawn treatment solution in a user-friendly manner.

A portable sprinkler device is disclosed herein. The portable sprinkler device is configured to deliver a personalized combination of water, weed killer, lawn fertilizer, and insect control serum. The device may include a wireless control unit capable of communicating with a user interface. The wireless control unit may be configured as a Bluetooth-ready device. The user interface may further include a base station or other portable electronic device. The device is useful for delivering a combined liquid-based lawn treatment solution in a user-friendly manner.

An irrigation system having a pipeline supported by one or more towers includes an improved truss connection system having a means for readily adjusting a crown height of the pipeline. A pair of cooperating members define a joint which selectively couples headed ends of adjacent truss rods together to form a truss rail of a truss system that supports the pipeline. A single fastener may fasten the cooperating members, a strut, and a cross-member together at the joint. A length of the truss rail may be decreased by holding the truss rods closer together. In an aspect, the headed ends of the adjacent truss rods are held closer together by inserting a shim in one of the joints. Decreasing the length of the truss rail increases the deflection of the pipeline and raises the crown height.

A mobile tower for use with an irrigation system comprises a frame, first and second spindles, a first height adjustment assembly, and a second height adjustment assembly. The frame is configured to support a fluid-carrying conduit of the irrigation system. The first and second spindles each include a generally upright beam. The first height adjustment assembly is rigidly connected to a first side of the frame and movably coupled to the first spindle. The first height adjustment assembly includes a first mechanism configured to raise or lower the first side of the frame relative to the first spindle. The second height adjustment assembly is rigidly connected to a second side of the frame and movably coupled to the second spindle. The second height adjustment assembly includes a second mechanism configured to raise or lower the second side of the frame relative to the second spindle.