Key Highlights
- 99% of farmland connected via underground irrigation infrastructure
- Up to 1,000m irrigated in a single setup
- Up to 7.8 hectares covered per run
- Up to 3 fewer setups on certain fields
- Improved irrigation uniformity across a 78m throw distance
- Part of 734 billion liters of estimated global water savings supported by Komet technologies in 2025
Across Germany, irrigated agriculture is facing mounting pressure. Tightening water regulations, constrained permit allocations, fragmented field structures, and labor shortages are increasingly forcing growers to rethink not just access to water – but how precisely and efficiently it can be applied.
For Landbau Tellmer, a Northern German arable operation specializing in potato production, this challenge is already shaping the future of irrigation strategy. Since the late 1970s, irrigation has been deeply embedded in the farm’s infrastructure, with approximately 99% of farmland connected through permanently installed underground pipelines powered by electric pumps. This system supports high-value crops including potatoes and sugar beet. But today, infrastructure alone is no longer enough.
When Water Permits Become the Real Limitation
“The biggest challenge in irrigation today is not technology, but water permits,” says Florian Schröder, Landbau Tellmer. “We have water rights for every field, but they are not sufficient to irrigate all crops as intensively as we would like,” explains Schröder. This reflects a growing reality across modern agriculture: irrigation success is increasingly determined not by whether water is available, but by how efficiently it can be applied within stricter environmental and regulatory boundaries.
Irrigating More Land with Fewer Setups
To improve operational efficiency, Landbau Tellmer integrated Fasterholt travelling irrigation systems alongside its existing hose reel fleet. This enables longer field sections – up to 1,000 meters – to be irrigated in a single setup. The result: up to 7.8 hectares irrigated per run across the farm’s average nine-hectare plots, significantly reducing setup frequency and labor demand. “With a field length of 1,000 meters, we can now irrigate 7.8 hectares in a single setup,” continues Schröder. “Because we now cultivate some plots lengthwise, we can even save up to three setups in certain cases.”
By the Numbers
- 1,000m single setup irrigation length
- 7.8ha irrigated in one run
- 3 setups saved on some plots
- 78m critical sprinklers throw distance
- 610,000ha+ global hectares irrigated by Komet in 2025
- 734bn liters estimated global water savings
Why Precision Matters More Under Tightening Restrictions
As irrigation windows narrow – particularly around permitted night-time operation when wind speeds and temperatures are lower – application precision becomes increasingly important. To maximize performance, Landbau Tellmer standardized Komet sprinkler technology across its irrigation fleet.
“Uniform water distribution across a throw distance of 78 meters is critical for us,” Schröder explains. “Since switching to Komet sprinklers, we have seen improved irrigation uniformity and reduced wind sensitivity.” By improving distribution uniformity and reducing wind drift, the farm is better able to operate within water limitations while protecting agronomic outcomes.
From Water Access to Water Precision
Using the RainDancer system, Landbau Tellmer has also reduced water application volumes per hectare while maintaining consistent crop performance — a critical shift as climate variability and water regulation intensifies.
“As water resources become more regulated and climate variability increases, the focus must shift from access to water towards the efficiency of its application.” says Andree Groos, CEO, Komet. “Technologies that improve distribution uniformity and reduce wind drift will play a decisive role in ensuring agricultural productivity while protecting water resources.”
A Global Challenge, Solved Through Precision
This shift is not unique to Germany. In 2025 alone, Komet irrigation technologies supported irrigation across more than 610,000 hectares globally, contributing to an estimated 734 billion liters of water savings through improved application efficiency. For growers like Landbau Tellmer, irrigation is no longer simply a production tool – it is increasingly a strategic lever for balancing productivity, sustainability, and regulatory compliance. “The combination of Fasterholt machines, Komet sprinklers and the RainDancer system is a significant improvement and a strong complement to conventional hose reel irrigation,” concludes Schröder.
The Future of Irrigation: Precision Under Pressure
As global agriculture faces tighter regulations, climate uncertainty and increasing water scarcity, the future of irrigation will belong to producers who can maximize every permitted drop through smarter infrastructure, better system integration, and more precise application. For Landbau Tellmer, that future is already underway. Discover how Komet precision irrigation solutions help growers maximize water efficiency under tightening operational and regulatory constraints.