3 Reasons Why Budget-Focused Farmers Invest in Integrated Telemetry

Allocating budget to flow technology may seem unjustifiable when funds are tight; flow meters and their electronics may already be installed, giving no reason to replace or add additional units when the current solution is in fine working condition. However, flow technology is only as good as the data it provides – and if that data is not adequate or user-friendly enough, your current instrumentation may be an operational hindrance rather than a beneficial tool.  

That is reason enough to invest in feature-rich measurement technology, including telemetry. Flow devices should be seamless, advantageous tools within your irrigation system that contribute to long-term profitability and operational efficiency. Take your budget (however small) and invest where you will see your bottom-line benefit in many ways. 

1. Telemetry for Operational Efficiency   

Managing your irrigation system means you need accurate, repeatable flow data in a timely manner. It can be an inconvenience to manually read flow meters or even deal with the sometimes-spotty communication intervals and potential disruptions that plague electronics with digital outputs. Traditional communication protocols such as pulse, 4-20mA, or Modbus have limitations or downfalls that may impact the reliability or convenience of the transmission, including security, speed, and data size.  

Telemetry is a wireless communication method that provides secure data to users needing real-time flow monitoring to inform decision-making about day-to-day operations. McCrometer’s SmartTrax™ On-Board telemetry contains ExactRead™ technology guaranteeing a precise data match from meter to website. The SmartTrax website dashboard allows users to customize their data visibility to meet their needs and easily integrates with additional system management software via an API. Dashboard data may also be exported to meet user needs. This IoT-friendly technology gives operators, technicians, and users reliable and highly valuable data at their fingertips, eliminating wait time for flow rate and volumetric numbers.  

Investing in telemetry such as SmartTrax On-Board helps streamline operations by automating data collection and transmission, reducing manual work required by personnel, and eliminating potential human error associated with monitoring and reporting. 

2. Integrated Telemetry for Cost-Savings  

Investing in integrated telemetry technology can lower personnel costs associated with data collection, but it also greatly contributes to water savings. When there is a price tag associated with water usage (and hefty fines for over usage), a beneficial tool like wireless telemetry can provide the real-time water usage data that producers need to manage water allocations.  

When growers avoid overwatering, they optimize water allocation, application, and costs. Additionally, improved irrigation efficiency can help curb expenses associated with equipment operating in-field, such as electricity and fuel. Utilizing real-time meter data as an additional data input alongside soil moisture probes, weather stations, predictive analytics, and agricultural forecasting creates an interconnected and automated system for precision farming. Optimizing flow measurement through the addition of telemetry facilitates efficient irrigation water application, improved crop water use, and lower operating costs. When expenses are reduced and waste is curtailed, budgets can be applied elsewhere to optimize production or even expand operations.  

The integration of SmartTrax within the FlowCom electronics streamlines equipment installation as well as lowers the overall cost of ownership. This on-board capability reduces the overall cost of ownership for the whole flow package, benefiting budget-conscious users. There are no ancillary devices to purchase, install, and maintain. Separate telemetry devices require separate power sources, setup procedures, and integration with the flow meter and third-party software. SmartTrax On-Board requires no separate product setup aside from the website user interface, simplifying the start-up process as well as routine maintenance. Investing in telemetry is now more economical than ever.

3. Telemetry for Real-Time, Accurate Data 

In conjunction with the world’s most accurate propeller meter, McCrometer’s classic Mc®Propeller, SmartTrax provides real-time data up to ±2% accuracy of flow, that’s
±0.25% repeatable – which means the flow data that the McPropeller and SmartTrax On-Board provides is consistently precise over time.  

A saddle-style McPropeller with meter-mounted FlowCom with integrated SmartTrax On-Board.

There is a significant difference between a 2% accurate meter and a 10% accurate meter, and it can affect a grower’s ability to stay within an allocation, comply with water mandates, as well as apply the necessary amount of irrigation water to their crops. Farmers strive for the right balance of water application to crops, knowing that too much water can leach nutrients as well as waste money, and too little water can hurt crop yield. Investing in accurate flow monitoring devices provides peace of mind to growers needing to stay within an allocation, save money on applied water, and maximize crop yield or profit.  

Selecting telemetry as a crucial component of smart irrigation is a savvy business decision that benefits a producer’s bottom line and their time management. Integrated telemetry such as SmartTrax On-Board helps protect a farmer’s water rights and ensures their valuable resources are managed easily and seamlessly.  

The ability to monitor applied irrigation water provides the benefit of immediate awareness of problems, such as irrigation system failure, pump problems, or pipeline issues that need to be resolved to minimize losses. The real-time data that SmartTrax On-Board provides on the website’s visual dashboards allows users to establish a baseline for performance and contributes to data-driven planning.  

Ready to get started with your next telemetry project? Learn more about SmartTrax On-Board technology or reach out to your local authorized McCrometer dealer for a quote.

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