Diseño integral de un sistema de riego por aspersión para la granja Nero de la Universidad de Cuenca

Abstract

Nero’s farm, from the University of Cuenca, is in Baños Parish. The farm is intended for dairy production with 46.3 ha for rotational cattle grazing. Because of its geographic location in the upper watershed section, water scarcity has been accentuated in recent years making the water availability a limiting factor for pasture production. For 15 years, the system withdraws water from the catchment at a rate of 1.5 l/s. In this context, the present technical project carried out an integrated sprinkler irrigation system design, applying agronomic, hydraulic, and scheduling aspects. The design was based on the ETc established flow rate of 67,3 l/s for maximum water demand conditions. This irrigation flow was distributed within three sectors, from the catchment designed with a Parshall flume to the Senninger 7025 RD-2 sprinklers in the 94 paddocks. The irrigation scheme comprises PVC pipes, 14 control valves, 41 air valves, and 3 hydrometers. Within the irrigation schedule, some paddocks with greater susceptibility to water shortage were prioritized, since they would reach the point of permanent wilting. Three scenarios were created with a flow reduction of 10%, 20% and 30%, each of these with 13 days of irrigation frequency. Finally, through irrigation schedules, operation reports and dead time notebooks, the need for a full-time operator was determined. As the flow rate is reduced, the workload increases requiring an additional operator