Cost-effectiveness of irrigation on Québec potato farms

Luc Belzile

Description

No in-depth studies have been done on the cost-effectiveness of irrigating potatoes. The aim of this project is to evaluate this aspect of potato production economics to assist producers and their advisors. A survey of irrigation costs was first conducted on a representative sample of farms. This data was used to calculate profitability thresholds for various irrigation systems in the absence of yield data. Profitability thresholds represent the necessary gains in yield quantity and/or quality to make a practice cost-effective.

Objective(s)

  • Evaluate the cost of irrigating potatoes under different soil and climate conditions
  • Calculate profitability thresholds in terms of the yield gains required to ensure a return on investment
  • In cooperation with specialists and participating producers, estimate the probability of the desired yield gains by region

From 2017 to 2019

Project duration

Market gardening

Activity areas

Service

This study will help growers understand the economic benefits of irrigation before making investments.

Partner

Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec

This may interest you

2016-2018 • Market gardening

Impact of irrigation system management and cultivar on nitrogen use by potatoes under commercial production conditions

The goal of this project was to measure the impact of irrigation management on nitrogen uptake and available soil nitrogen on several cultivars under commercial production conditions.

Researcher: Christine Landry

Read more about the project

Christine Landry
2019-2022 • Market gardening

Improving potato crop water-use efficiency by developing a deeper understanding of cultivars

The selection of a cultivar should be an essential element in any sound irrigation management strategy. This project aims to optimize water use in potato farming.

Researcher: Carl Boivin

Read more about the project

Carl Boivin
2017-2019 • Market gardening

Combining slow release and conventional nitrogen fertilizer to reduce leaching and stabilize annual potato yields

Meeting nitrogen requirements mainly through the use of a highly stable form of fertilizer can minimize nitrogen losses, provide nitrogen amounts closer to the plant’s actual needs.

Researcher: Christine Landry

Read more about the project

Christine Landry
F