Pivot Irrigation
Irrigation strategy in center pivot fields
Experience
Bauer, a global leader in irrigation technology known for its center pivot systems, partnered with Finapp during the 2025 season to collect soil moisture data on a large scale, in depth and in real time using Finapp CRNS probes, which use cosmic rays to assess the water content in the soil. A corn field irrigated by a center pivot was monitored in Brazil.
In pivot irrigated fields, soil moisture can vary significantly even over short distances because of soil heterogeneity, micro topography and the way water is distributed by the pivot. Traditional soil moisture sensors provide point measurements that capture only very localized conditions, so many sensors are usually needed to represent a whole field. This increases costs, makes deployment more complex and limits scalability.
The purpose of this collaboration was to verify whether a single Finapp probe could deliver soil moisture data representative of an entire pivot, giving Bauer and its customers a simple and scalable tool to define irrigation strategy according to real water needs.
Use
Soil moisture assessment is one of the pillars on which to build an adequate irrigation strategy. To evaluate the accuracy of the Finapp probe under real agricultural conditions, an independent study was carried out by the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (Brazil). Finapp soil moisture data were compared with gravimetric sampling, the reference method, across several evaluations during the season.
The results showed a high correlation with reference measurements and strong accuracy across varying soil moisture conditions, with a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 6.47%. The study confirmed that Finapp provides reliable and scientifically validated soil moisture data.
To test performance in the field, Bauer then installed two Finapp probes within the same pivot irrigated field, about 100 metres apart, each monitoring soil moisture independently over time.
Despite the distance, the two probes produced highly consistent soil moisture trends, with a correlation of r² = 0.88. This result is not surprising, since the Finapp probe measures soil moisture over an area with a radius of approximately 125 to 175 metres, overcoming the point variability of the soil and covering an area large enough to represent the whole field.
It is therefore possible to monitor soil moisture across an entire pivot with a single probe, allowing the manager to irrigate when and where it is really needed while reducing the number of sensors, installation work and maintenance.
Today, with over 600 Finapp probes deployed, Bauer is turning a shared vision into reality: preserving water resources to build a more sustainable future.
“With Finapp, we can monitor soil moisture across an entire pivot using a single tool. This was not achievable with traditional sensors.”
Benefits
- Scientifically validated accuracy, with 6.47% MAPE compared to gravimetric sampling
- Large area monitored, an entire pivot with a single probe
- Measurement radius of approximately 125 to 175 metres
- Non invasive and non contact measurements
- Fewer sensors required, with simpler installation and maintenance
- Indicates the best time to irrigate according to agronomic and operational parameters
- Optimizes water resources by irrigating in the right place at the right time
- Reduces water and energy consumption by avoiding waste
