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Category: Drip Irrigation News

California Farmer Seeks Greater Efficiency with Drip Irrigation

According to second generation farmer, Pete Aiello, “there has been a lot of finger pointing as California endures a drought, and most of it seems to be directed toward agriculture.”

“California farmers do their best to make every drop of water count,” Pete says. “My family’s farm started installing drip irrigation systems in 1985. Local experts estimate that 80 percent of Santa Clara County’s irrigation is done through low-volume irrigation such as drip tape and micro sprinklers.”

Learn more about Pete Aiello’s take on agriculture, the California drought, and drip irrigation by clicking the title or the following link:

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Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) Brings Improved Crop Health, Efficiency & Reduced Labor Costs to Kansas Farm

Roger Johnson and his family have farmed an 80-acre plot just outside the western city limits of Hoxie, Kan., for years under flood irrigation. Even while using all of the 800 gallons per minute available, it was necessary to split the 80-acre piece in two and farm different crops to manage the water.

“We always had problems getting water through the field,” Johnson explains, “and many times the crop we produced would be very good on one end of the field and nonexistent at the other. I remember before we installed subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) on the field, one year we made 165 bushels of corn there.”

In 2012, a very dry year even in country that expects only 15 to 18 inches of rainfall annually, Johnson and his brother, Bob, and son, Heath, binned 220 bushels per acre on the 80-acre field by applying water at a 600-gallonper- minute rate—75% of the well’s capacity—with subsurface drip irrigation. This past year, that same field produced a 79-bushel soybean crop.

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New Pressure-Compensating Micro Sprinkler Increases Watering Diameters

Micro-SprinklerAt Toro, we recently launched our new pressure-compensating sprinkler, Micro Sprinkler PC. Specifically designed for orchards, vineyards, and nursery applications where undulating terrain and long lateral lengths are challenging, Micro Sprinkler PC’s unique pressure-compensating design provides uniform flows and diameters over a wide range of operating pressures. Plus, the Micro Sprinkler PC has a wider diameter of throw than our previous models. Other capabilities of the new Micro Sprinkler PC include:

  • Wide diameter of throw from 16 feet to 31 feet, depending on sprinkler model
  • Pressure-compensating sprinkler provides uniform flow over a wide range of operating pressures from 20 psi to 60 psi
  • Low angle of throw to maximize irrigation under foliage
  • Easy identification in eight color-coded flow rates ranging from 9 GPH – 40 GPH
  • Snap-fit bearing provides easy field inspection and maintenance
  • Improved distribution characteristics with larger droplet sizes that are less susceptible to wind
  • Anti-insect/dust proof spinner retracts to protect nozzle when not in operation
  • Optional break-off deflector tab allows the sprinkler to be placed near a newly planted tree to concentrate water where the roots are developing
  • Fully assembled models available with pre-installed tube and stake
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California Farmers Say Irrigation Technology & Efficiency is the Future for Agriculture

Irrigation supply stores throughout California report brisk sales, and irrigation experts say extreme drought has prompted a closer look at emerging technology to help stretch dwindling water supplies.

California farmers invested more than $3 billion in improved irrigation technology between 2003 and 2013, according to Danny Merkley, California Farm Bureau Federation water resources director.

“Already, farmers have upgraded irrigation systems on more than 2.6 million acres statewide,” Merkley said. Many farmers and ranchers see technology as a way to accelerate water supply management capability and better integrate a variety of operations, while noting that a combination of efficiency improvements and investment in new water storage and recycling will be needed to assure future supplies.

“I’ve worked in two-dozen countries consulting on various aspects of applied irrigation technology, and find California farmers are doing an outstanding job of adopting technology for better water management,” said Charles Burt, chairman of the Irrigation Training and Research Center at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

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Research Suggests Deficit Drip Irrigation on Cotton Can Save Water & Maintain Yield

University of California (UC) researchers are unlocking new management practices which could help cotton growers save water through deficit drip irrigation, plus better manage weather challenges in the fall months.

At the 2014 Beltwide Cotton Conferences in New Orleans, La. in January, UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Cotton Specialist Bob Hutmacher discussed ongoing research on deficit irrigation in drip-irrigated cotton to save water with minimum crop yield and quality losses.

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Toro Announces Launch of Centennial Donational Programs

Centennial Logo 2 Color_driptipsOn the verge of celebrating its 100th anniversary, The Toro Company has long been committed to helping customers around the world care for their outdoor environments. At the same time, Toro has built a legacy of giving back to the communities where employees live and work. As Toro celebrates ‘A Century of Innovation’ and ‘A Legacy of Caring,’ the company is proud to continue its support of communities with the launch of a Legacy Grant Program and Annual Product Donation Program.

The centennial Legacy Grant Program supports non-profit organizations in their efforts to beautify and preserve outdoor environments and enhance green spaces at home, work and play. Grants will also be made to organizations whose projects encourage and educate the public about the efficient use of water. The objective of the Legacy Grant Program is to provide funding for projects in these focus areas that will serve the community for years to come.

The centennial Annual Product Donation Program will continue to support organizations with equipment and irrigation donations that assist in maintaining their facilities and achieving impact in their communities, such as beautification of their outdoor landscapes or providing job-skills training.

In an effort for more effective collaboration with non-profits, Toro has launched its first electronic application form for both grant programs. The online application, and additional information, can be found on www.toro.com/community. Applications for both grant programs will be accepted through March 31, 2014, and are available to non-profit organizations located within 30 miles of a Toro community.

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Farmers Looking to Use Surface Drip Irrigation Amid California Drought

Although underground irrigation is still a common way to water crops and fields, some farmers and landowners are moving to use surface irrigation amid one of the worst droughts in state history.

Underground irrigation delivers water through buried tubing or pipes while surface drip irrigation is positioned above the ground and is not permanent.

Aric Barcellos, with A-Bar Ag Enterprises, whose family business owns 8,000 acres along the West Side of Merced County, is one of many farmers who are becoming more serious about using surface drip systems to irrigate.

A-Bar Ag Enterprises farms cotton, tomatoes, asparagus, pomegranates, wheat, melons, onions and pistachios, and receives water from several water districts

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California Drought Financial Assistance Program – Application Deadline March 3, 2014

Drought_CropThe 2014 California Drought is creating especially dire conditions for the State’s farmers and ranchers. Though we can’t change the weather, we can prepare and convert to irrigation efficient technologies, such as drip irrigation, to reduce the effects of this and future droughts.

To help farmers and ranchers implement conservation and irrigation efficient practices, NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) is offering technical help and financial assistance through EQIP (The Environmental Quality Incentives Program), a voluntary cost share program.

The NRCS has committed a $25 million fund pool specifically for Drought Assistance through EQIP, and will work closely with producers to ensure successful implementation.

But don’t wait to take advantage of this great opportunity to finance and implement conservation or irrigation efficient technologies because the deadline for Drought Assistance EQIP is right around the corner — all applications must be received by March 3, 2014!

To apply, visit your local USDA service center.

Click here to find your local USDA service center, or visit nrcs.usda.gov for more information.

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