Proper irrigation management is key to avoiding irrigation downtime with hay and forage crops, especially alfalfa. In the spring, creating a full soil moisture profile is essential to encouraging deep rooting. Before cutting, holding back irrigation is critical to preventing compaction. Irrigation scheduling and control is paramount while curing and removing bales before the next irrigation cycle can start. Alfalfa crop yields are directly proportional to how much water the plant can take in during the grow cycle. All of these factors across multiple harvests annually can make irrigation management very difficult to maximize yields. A variety of Nelson products improve your irrigation efficiency for all of your hay and forage crops.

Center pivot irrigation is the preferred method for larger fields, as the acreage can be completely and quickly covered for faster post-harvest recovery. The center pivot also offers a high-uniformity system with low labor input. Use the Nelson Rotator^® for optimal performance, the Accelerator for hybrid Rotator Technology, or the Orbitor if you're looking for the benefits of an off-axis sprinkler. Our 3030 and 3NV Nozzle system is the best and fastest on the market for nozzle cleaning.

Portable/side roll or permanent solid set systems are ideal in smaller-sized or unusually shaped fields where it is not practical or possible to use a pivot. With no vibration or risk of theft, the carefully engineered plastic R2000WF and R33 are “better than brass.”

The Big Gun^® Sprinkler on a traveler offers mobility with low labor costs. Travelers can irrigate smaller and rectangular-shaped fields that are not practical to irrigate with a linear system or pivot. Placement and setup of the equipment in the field is for the most part mechanized.

Keep in mind that all of the above system types are enhanced by the use of Nelson control valves for proper air and water management. And no matter which irrigation method or size of fields you have for farming your hay or forage crops, Nelson Irrigation has the widest range of product options to fit your irrigation equipment and management needs.

Irrigating hay and other forage crops is a complicated task that depends on everything from your region to your choice of valve. Explore some of the Nelson products commonly used for hay and forage crops below, or get in touch with the territory manager in your area so we can help find the right solution for you.