Category: Drip Irrigation News

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

Posted on April 1, 2014April 1, 2014 by torodriptips

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.

New Pressure-Compensating Micro Sprinkler Increases Watering Diameters

Posted on March 25, 2014March 14, 2018 by torodriptips

At 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

California Farmers Say Irrigation Technology & Efficiency is the Future for Agriculture

Posted on March 20, 2014 by torodriptips

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.

VIDEO: Oregon Carrot Seed Growers Save Water & Improve Yield, Quality with Drip Irrigation (and it’s “Bee Friendly” Too!)

Posted on March 18, 2014June 24, 2014 by torodriptips

Oregon producers, who grow about 85 percent of the nation’s carrot seeds, have cut water use in half by transitioning to drip from overhead sprinklers. Although more studies need to be done, growers also expect drip irrigation will reduce Xanthomonas, a bacterial pathogen that can be spread by sprinklers or splashing water.

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

Posted on March 13, 2014 by torodriptips

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.

Toro Announces Launch of Centennial Donational Programs

Posted on March 11, 2014 by torodriptips

On 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.

Farmers Looking to Use Surface Drip Irrigation Amid California Drought

Posted on March 6, 2014May 27, 2015 by torodriptips

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

VIDEO: Toro Press Conference Addresses 100-year History & Innovations in Agriculture

Posted on March 4, 2014March 11, 2014 by torodriptips

If you weren’t able to join us at the 2014 World Ag Expo and help us celebrate the kick-off to Toro’s Centennial year, here is a video of our Vice President of Worldwide Micro-Irrigation, Mike Drazan, addressing local media on the rare milestone of 100 years in business. Mike also discusses Toro’s history in the agricultural industry and announces some new drip irrigation products.

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

Posted on February 27, 2014May 27, 2015 by torodriptips

The 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.

California Drought Reveals the Need to Switch to Drip Irrigation

Posted on February 24, 2014May 27, 2015 by torodriptips

With no end in sight to California’s record drought, state leaders are right to focus most of the $687 million relief package they announced Wednesday on longer-term efforts to conserve and recycle water.

But if we’re really all in this together, leaders must pay far more attention to the biggest user — agriculture, which takes anywhere from 62% to 75% of available water in a given year, depending on how that consumption is measured.

As The Sacramento Bee’s Matt Weiser reported on Sunday, while more farmers are using drip irrigation, which is far more efficient than flooding fields, many are stuck in the old ways. And while urban water systems must reduce per capita water use 20% by 2020 or risk losing state money, state law does not put the agricultural sector under similar conservation requirements.

Irrigation Efficiency Rebate Program

Posted on February 21, 2014May 27, 2015 by torodriptips

The Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and Staples Energy have collaborated to offer growers the “Low-Pressure Irrigation Efficiency Program” — a great opportunity for growers to save energy and water. People who participate will also get a free energy assessment of their current irrigation system and learn about other PG&E programs available.

Efficiency Made Affordable: Qualifying projects receive $5.00 per low-pressure sprinkler replaced or $144 per acre for sprinkler to drip conversions.

Staples Energy is working with a trusted network of irrigation manufacturers and local dealers to assess systems for savings opportunities, as well as provide growers with recommendations on low-pressure sprinklers or drip irrigation conversion options.

Plus, the process is easy, hassle-free, and growers can work with trusted, participating local irrigation suppliers to install the products they choose. The customer product incentives – $5.00 for each sprinkler or $144 per acre for sprinkler to drip conversions – are paid up front, directly to the dealer. That means growers see the incentives come right off the bottom-line price of their installation costs.

Click here to download the Low-Pressure Irrigation Efficiency Program brochure.

Click here for a current list of participating irrigation suppliers and dealers.

Amid Drought, California Farmers Rely on Water Equipment Companies

Posted on February 18, 2014May 27, 2015 by torodriptips

California’s drought could prove devastating to the state’s farmers and ranchers. But the dry spell has brought a gusher of new business to companies that provide them with water.

That much was clear at this year’s World Ag Expo, which kicked off Tuesday in Tulare, a town of 60,000 about 45 miles south of Fresno. At one booth was a well repair company that had to add extra shifts to meet all the agricultural demand for groundwater. Nearby, a firm that provides turbine pumps for wells said orders were coming in so furiously it was running out of parts. And several feet away, a drip irrigation maker said it was taking orders from farmers months ahead of schedule as the prospect of enough rain over the winter appeared remote.

The World Ag Expo is the largest farm equipment show in the world — a three-day extravaganza of high-tech tractors, automated dairy milkers and mechanized tree harvesters on 2.6 million square feet of fertile Central California soil.

But this year, the annual event is also a window into the frantic struggle taking place to keep the world supplied with fruit, nuts and vegetables from the Golden State. Amid what could be one of the worst droughts in California’s recorded history, growers are relying on a host of companies to help them deliver what water remains to their fields.