Stacia L. Davis Conger, Ph.D., LSU AgCenter State Irrigation Specialist

The best way to maintain good pressure within your lay-flat irrigation pipe and have water reach the end of every row around the same time on uneven fields is to utilize computerized hole selection (CHS). Both available options are free and good choices, but the version offered by Delta Plastics, named Pipe Planner, may be the easiest option for modern farmers.

Pipe Planner can be accessed at www.pipeplanner.com and is mobile-friendly. You will need to have an accurate flow rate from the water source and a general estimation of the elevation changes of the polypad to get a good result. While using the program, you will find options for setting field boundaries, selecting water sources, and creating multiple set based on estimated time to water out. Once completed, you will have a printable and/or savable pipe plan that specifies the hole sizes needed.

The Irrigation Specialist from Delta Plastics, Chris DeClerk, is hosting free training webinars for Pipe Planner every Tuesday and Thursday in April starting at 9 am CST. During each webinar, Chris will demonstrate the basic functionality of Pipe Planner and answer any questions you may have.

Webinar link: https://meet.goto.com/768891941

Password: pipeplanner

If you need to use your phone for sound, you can dial in at (571) 317-3122

The access code for the phone option is: 768-891-941

You may also contact me (sdavis@agcenter.lsu.edu, (318) 408-0973) or your County Extension Agent for on-farm help. We will be glad to walk you through the program and can help with the data collection aspect in most cases.