hay now, irrigation.

A very basic, but perhaps the most important thing we do daily is water the land.  We are lucky to have some sprinklers on our ranch but we also have a large amount of flood irrigation to do with our river water. 

Sprinklers are obviously sweet, as long as they are working!  Simply put grease it, push a button, inspect the machines for water output and cross our fingers!  In the SLV there are upcoming changes for water use, centered mainly around the use of wells and sprinklers.  The unknown is scary, and this will be our last year without the new rules and regulations regarding the sprinklers' use.  Whatever they might be. 

Flood irrigation is very simple at its roots.  Not that different than how my family has done before, the benefit I have is generations of knowledge passed down.  Where a rock bar is (a place that will never get enough water!), where the water table will sub, etc.  It involves a shovel, a ditch, a field and often a little mud.  Every day - morning and night and sometimes at lunch if you are lucky!  It is relaxing to me, just the peace and quiet while I'm surrounded by nature!  Sometimes I'll come upon a fox, deer or on lucky days a fawn while at it!