My name is Nolan Sampson, and I’m a farmland real estate agent serving Indiana and Michigan. Beyond helping people buy and sell land, I also provide farm management and investment guidance, from lease structures to long-term improvements like drainage or irrigation.

In Northwest Indiana, farmers and landowners face a common question: Is irrigation worth the investment? The answer depends on soil type, crop mix, water availability, and the farm’s financial goals. In this article, we’ll explore irrigation systems, how they can maximize crop yields, the challenges specific to our region, and how to approach irrigation as a capital investment.

Why Irrigation Matters in Northwest Indiana

Weather Variability

Rainfall in Northwest Indiana is uneven. Some years bring abundant moisture, while others deliver drought stress right in the middle of July and August. For row crops, these weeks matter most. A dry spell during corn pollination or soybean pod fill can cut yields significantly.

Research from Purdue University shows that variability is expected to increase, with hotter summers and more irregular rainfall. Without adaptation, corn and soybean yields are at risk of declining. Irrigation provides one of the clearest ways to stabilize production and protect the value of farmland.

Soils and Water Resources

Northwest Indiana is home to soils ranging from silt loams to sandy loams. Many hold water well, but lighter soils dry out quickly under stress. Access to groundwater is generally favorable in the northern counties, and field topography is well-suited for modern irrigation systems. That combination explains why irrigation adoption continues to grow across our region.

County-Level Adoption Snapshot

According to the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, irrigation is no longer niche in Northwest Indiana:

• LaPorte County leads with over 80,000 irrigated acres, nearly one-third of its farmland.

• Starke, Pulaski, and St. Joseph Counties also show strong adoption, with 15–20% of farmland irrigated.

• Jasper and Lake Counties lag behind, with only 3–4% irrigated, suggesting both untapped opportunity and possible water or cost barriers.

The takeaway? Irrigation is already mainstream in counties like LaPorte and Starke and its role is expanding across the region.

Types of Irrigation Systems

Choosing the right system requires balancing cost, field shape, crop type, and water availability. Here are the most common options in Northwest Indiana:

Center-Pivot Systems

• How it works: A circular pipeline rotates around a central point, applying water uniformly.

• Advantages: High efficiency, labor savings, automation, ideal for square fields.

• Drawbacks: High upfront cost, less suitable for irregular fields, runoff possible on heavy clays.

• Learn more: Nelson Irrigation — Pros & Cons of Center Pivot Irrigation

Portable Sprinklers / Travellers

• Advantages: Flexible for smaller or irregular parcels. Lower startup cost.

• Drawbacks: Higher evaporation losses, more labor, less efficient coverage.

Drip or Subsurface Drip

• Advantages: Delivers water directly to the root zone. Very efficient, integrates with fertigation, especially valuable on sandy soils or specialty crops.

• Drawbacks: Expensive to install and maintain. Not as common for row crops like corn and soybeans on large Indiana fields.

• Learn more: CropLife — Maximizing Returns from Water Inputs

Maximizing Crop Yield with Irrigation

Critical Growth Stages

• Corn: Moisture is most critical at tasseling, silking, and grain fill. Irrigation during these stages can add 20–40 bushels per acre in dry years.

• Soybeans: Irrigation during flowering and pod fill can add 5–12 bushels per acre by preventing stress at the most sensitive stage.

Soil Moisture Monitoring

Using soil sensors at rooting depth helps ensure water is applied when it’s needed — not too early, not too late. Combining this with weather data and evapotranspiration (ET) models makes irrigation more efficient and profitable.

Technology Enhancements

• Variable-Rate Irrigation (VRI) allows different zones of the same field to receive tailored water amounts.

• Remote monitoring and automation reduce labor and allow real-time adjustments.

• Fertigation (applying nutrients through irrigation) improves nutrient use efficiency and reduces trips across the field.

Economics: Irrigation as a Capital Investment

Installing irrigation is not just an agronomic decision — it’s a capital investment that must be weighed like any other.

• A new center-pivot system for a 160-acre field can cost $100,000–$130,000, plus the well and pump.

• Operating costs include energy for pumping, water management, and maintenance.

• In return, the yield gains, especially in dry years, can easily offset costs over a 5 to 10 year period.

For my farm management clients, I routinely run capital investment analyses to compare cost of installation, operating expenses, and expected yield gains with market commodity prices. This ensures landowners and operators understand payback periods and long-term return on investment.

Challenges and Trade-Offs in Northwest Indiana

• High Initial Cost: Smaller farms may find it difficult to justify the capital outlay.

• Water Availability: Groundwater supply varies by county; permitting may be required. See Indiana DNR Water Rights & Permits.

• Field Shape: Square and quarter-section fields are perfect for pivots, but irregular shapes complicate coverage.

• Soil Limitations: Sandy soils require frequent irrigation; clays may suffer from runoff.

• Maintenance: Pumps, nozzles, and pipelines need regular upkeep.

Despite these hurdles, irrigation can be a clear driver of profitability and land value when carefully planned.

Practical Framework for Northwest Indiana Farmers

When evaluating irrigation, I advise clients to walk through a structured framework:

1. Soil & Field Analysis: Understand texture, slope, and water-holding capacity.

2. Water Source Assessment: Evaluate well capacity, surface water availability, and regulatory requirements.

3. System Selection: Match pivot, portable, or drip to the field and crop.

4. Critical Growth Windows: Plan to cover peak crop demand stages.

5. Economic Modeling: Calculate ROI, payback period, and risk scenarios.

6. Cost-Share Opportunities: Explore USDA NRCS programs that may offset capital cost.

This process allows landowners to make informed, data-driven decisions that protect both productivity and farm profitability.

The Outlook for Irrigation in Northwest Indiana

With counties like LaPorte and Starke already heavily invested in irrigation, the trend is clear: supplemental water is no longer optional in many parts of Northwest Indiana. As summers grow hotter and rainfall patterns more erratic, irrigation will play an even larger role in stabilizing yields and supporting land values.

For landowners, the key takeaway is that irrigation doesn’t just protect crops, it protects the long-term value of farmland. A field with reliable irrigation capacity is often more marketable and commands a higher rent or sale price.

Conclusion

Irrigation systems are transforming the way Northwest Indiana farmers approach risk, yield, and land value. By making the right capital investment decisions, landowners can secure both stronger yields and long-term profitability.

If you’re considering adding irrigation — or buying or selling farmland where irrigation potential is part of the equation, I can help. From real estate transactions to farm management consulting, I specialize in evaluating these capital investments and guiding clients to the best decisions for their land.

Contact me today: 219-575-1486 nolans@halderman.com

Let’s work together to maximize the potential of your farm in Northwest Indiana.