Latest news with #soilmoisture
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
U of I researchers aim to help farmers by improving production, irrigation
CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Mohamad Alipour, an assistant civil engineering professor at the University of Illinois, joined WCIA's Amanda Brennan in the studio to talk about a research project which is using drones to help farmers. Alipour said the team is developing ways to monitor soil and crop moisture with drones; the drones use a sensor that allow them to see through the plant and into the soil. From the Farm: Illinois FFA announces 2025 Star Farmer from Taylorville 'The end goal of the project is for the farmers to be able to detect early signs of water stress in their plants so they can make smarter decisions about their plants during the growing season,' Alipour said. Many farms in Illinois don't have irrigation systems, which can negatively impact their crops. But, Alipour said if farmers can detect droughts early, then they can adjust and improve production. 'It's really about turning complex data into, really, a clear, impactful insight for the farmers,' he said. The Center for Digital Agriculture (CDA) and the Prairie Research Institute (PRI) teamed up to help fund the project. Along with Alipour, the research team includes Trent Ford, Illinois State Climatologist and PRI research scientist, Elahe Soltanaghai, assistant computer science professor at the U of I and CDA affiliate, and Adam Watts from the USDA Forest Service. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBC
12-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Sask. farmers hope for rain, relief from tariffs as seeding continues
With seeding well underway, Saskatchewan farmers are now looking at soil moisture levels and tariffs to see what this year will hold. "The wind is sucking the moisture out of the ground at an exceptional rate. Things are drying up very, very quickly," said Jeremy Welter, who farms northeast of Kerrobert and is a vice-president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS). According to the province's most recent crop report, about 18 per cent of the crop has been planted. That same report said topsoil moisture levels are adequate in much of the province, but noted producers in the southwest may not have enough spring runoff to replenish dugouts. "The moisture situation is changing rapidly. I think it is very much a question of where you go," Welter said. The progress in spring seeding prompted the province to release a statement reminding people to slow down and give farmers space when they are moving equipment on the roads. Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison said soil moisture levels are currently good in much of the province, but that rain is needed soon to help get crops growing. Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding said farmers are also looking to see China's tariff on Canadian canola products lifted, but that it's not farmers' top concern. "The weather is the primary concern for producers. For about 140 days the weather will be their primary concern, because if they don't have something in the bin they don't have something to market." China imposed a 100 per cent retaliatory tariff on Canadian canola oil and meal in March. Both Kaeding and Harrison said they expect Ottawa will start working to get the tariff on canola products lifted after a new cabinet is announced this week.
