By changing how water is given to crops in Northern Italy, farmers can save a lot of water. To boost water efficiency, researchers improved when and how much water is given to maize fields. They studied two fields over two years with different rainfall levels. By adjusting water amounts and field shapes, water usage fell by 10% in a dry year and up to 60% in a wet one. Correct timing saved 7% more water, and well-matched field sizes saved up to 20%. This data helps make border irrigation smarter for better water use in the future.