August 2026 issue

Volume 59, Issue 8

As water supplies tighten across the Pacific Northwest, growers are turning to a combination of technology, data, and improved irrigation practices to get the most crop from every drop. Experts say maximizing center-pivot efficiency requires more than just new equipment—it also depends on regular maintenance, weather-based scheduling, soil moisture monitoring, and careful planning. From updated crop water-use research to high-efficiency sprinkler packages, a growing toolbox is helping producers and their CCAs balance yields, costs, and increasingly limited water resources.

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Cover photos credits: Top row (l to r): University of Idaho, Jemila Chellappa, and Doug Wilson (USDA-ARS). Bottom row: Vicky Boyd.