Drip Irrigation Owner’s Manual – Second Edition
Toro has just released the second edition of its Drip Irrigation Owner’s Manual. It is now available for purchase and/or free download from www.toro.com. This 129-page, four-color, fully illustrated, spiral-wound document is a comprehensive guide to the operation and maintenance of both new and existing micro-irrigation systems for row, field and permanent crops. The resource comes in both English and Spanish versions, with measurements in English and Metric Units. Chapter titles include: Drip Irrigation System Overview Starting Up Your System Basic System Operation Fertigation and Chemigation Salinity Management System Maintenance Maximizing Your Investment References Appendix System Information The first edition of the Owner’s Manual was launched two years ago and has been very well received by the industry. Farmers, dealers, consultants, government officials and academia have all enjoyed using the first edition whether they were new to drip or seasoned veterans. Either edition (first or second) is a great resource and is a must-have for
When Bob Thomas and his son Rob began farming in the Imperial Valley six years ago, they quickly recognized that there must be a better way to irrigate their alfalfa. They soon discovered that cutting-edge growers were successfully using drip irrigation instead of sprinklers or gravity irrigation. After diligent research, they installed their first 116 acres with Toro’s Aqua-Traxx® drip tape in September of 2009, and have experienced significant benefits since then.
The benefits of drip irrigation are easy to see at Weilmunster Farms in Parma, Idaho. After adopting drip technology, the farm increased its hops yields by 400 pounds per acre, which translated into increased revenues of $800 to $1,600 per acre.