Loveland Products has introduced AQUA FORCE, a new water use efficiency product designed for center pivot irrigation systems, as growers face increasing pressure to optimise water use under tightening resource constraints.

Announced on 8 January 2026, AQUA FORCE is positioned by the company as an alternative to traditional soil surfactants or wetting agents. According to Loveland Products, the formulation is intended to improve how water moves through soil, enhance retention in the root zone, and support more uniform infiltration during pivot irrigation passes.

The launch comes against a backdrop of mounting water availability concerns across major irrigated cropping regions. Center pivot systems are widely used in large-scale potato, corn, and vegetable production, particularly in areas dependent on declining groundwater reserves.

“Farmers are under more pressure than ever to do more with less water,” said Drew Butler, Adjuvants Portfolio Manager at Loveland Products. “The Ogallala Aquifer alone can lose up to one to two feet of water each year, and that’s not sustainable. But AQUA FORCE helps farmers get the most out of every drop by improving how water interacts with the soil.”

Focus on Distribution, Retention, and Infiltration

Loveland Products says AQUA FORCE has been developed to address multiple challenges associated with pivot irrigation, including uneven water movement through compacted soil layers and moisture losses outside the effective root zone. The company states that the product supports improved water distribution and retention while also helping to reduce soil compaction, factors it links to both yield potential and longer-term soil health.

Unlike conventional wetting agents, AQUA FORCE is marketed as a soil water management tool rather than a surface-level solution. Its formulation is intended to help soil retain moisture where crops can access it more efficiently during irrigation cycles, potentially reducing the need for corrective adjustments during the season.

Field Trials in Pivot-Irrigated Corn

Loveland Products points to third-party testing conducted in 2024 by the Irrigation Research Foundation in Yuma, Colorado. In trials carried out on corn under center pivot irrigation, the company reports an average yield increase of nine bushels per acre across all production zones.

The company notes that results varied by location and were influenced by site-specific conditions, crop genetics, and other agronomic factors. At an additional test site in Oklahoma, AQUA FORCE was reported to help maintain higher soil moisture levels in the upper soil profile, measured at depths of 0–6 inches, throughout the growing season.

According to Loveland Products, higher retained moisture in this zone reduced losses to evaporation and runoff, an outcome the company highlights as particularly relevant in regions reliant on the Ogallala Aquifer.

Positioning Within Water Management Strategies

“AQUA FORCE fills a gap in the market,” said Dr. Darin Lickfeldt, Senior Manager of Technical Development at Loveland Products. “It’s not just about getting water to the field; it’s about keeping it where it matters most. When irrigation water is applied, AQUA FORCE helps ensure it works harder, lasts longer, and supports better yield outcomes.”

The company frames the product as part of its broader strategy to support water management practices that balance productivity with sustainability, particularly in irrigated cropping systems facing regulatory, environmental, and cost pressures.

While Loveland Products has highlighted performance data from corn trials, the company positions AQUA FORCE as applicable across pivot-irrigated crops where uniform moisture distribution and root-zone water retention are critical.

AQUA FORCE is available through local crop consultants at Nutrien Ag Solutions, according to the company.