Category: Drip Irrigation News

WEBINAR: The Importance of Water Quality Management for Drip Irrigation System Performance

Posted on May 3, 2013July 17, 2014 by torodriptips

Richard C. Bernier, Director of Sales and Marketing, Meras Engineering - Ag Unit On Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 1PM (Pacific Time), the Grange Network will be hosting a 60-minute, FREE webinar to discuss how water quality – both chemical and physical aspects – affect design, equipment selection, operation, and maintenance of drip irrigation systems. If not managed properly, poor water quality can severely impact the uniformity and overall performance of drip irrigation systems, resulting in decreased crop yield and higher water, energy, and fertilizer costs. So don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the importance of water quality and how to get the most out of your drip irrigation system.

Click here to register for the FREE webinar, “Improper Water Quality Management and the Economic Impact on your Drip/Micro Irrigation System’s Performance.”

Subsurface Drip Irrigation, Management & Variety Selection Result in One-Ton Cotton

Posted on April 30, 2013 by torodriptips

SDI on Cotton Young Farmer, Kris Verett, didn’t plan on following in his father’s footsteps and becoming a farmer. But at 28, he joined the One-Ton Club at the Texas Gin Show in Lubbock for his drip irrigated cotton.

Verett contributes his success to Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI), good system management, and variety selection. His record yields were produced on two SDI irrigated 40-acre blocks with FM2989 and FM9170.

How to Save Water and Boost Yields with Subsurface Drip Irrigation

Posted on April 25, 2013 by torodriptips

With the help of manufacturers, like Toro, and local dealers who design, install, and provide service and support, growers in the Midwest are finding out first-hand how subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) systems not only improve water- and fertilizer-use efficiency, but also provide higher yields. And as the drought continues to affect water supplies, the need for efficient irrigation practices becomes more apparent. Couple this with high crop prices to allow a quicker return on investment, there may be no better time to invest in drip.

In a recent article in No-Till Farmer, reporter John Dobberstein examined the benefits of subsurface drip irrigation for field crops (such as corn and soybeans) and interviewed several Midwest producers who are already seeing payoffs by switching to drip.

Drip Irrigation Installation Video

Posted on April 23, 2013July 17, 2014 by torodriptips

Check out this drip irrigation installation video by Dubois Agrinovation that shows how drip tape is installed using Aqua-Traxx® drip tape and installation

Salinas Valley Farmers Solve Water Issues with Drip Irrigation and Conservation

Posted on April 18, 2013 by torodriptips

Salinas Drip Irrigation Charged with the issue of seawater intrusion, the Salinas Valley in California has done several things to all but eliminate the issue. First, two reservoirs were constructed to recharge the underground aquifer. Then, a wastewater treatment plant was built to enable the use of recycled water for irrigation. And recently, a rubber dam was installed to divert surface water for irrigation. Along with these attempts to improve the region’s water supply, Salinas Valley farmers have turned to drip irrigation and conservation to help solve their water issues.

In a recent article in AgAlert, reporter Bob Johnson interviewed Salinas Valley farmers to see how they have reduced seawater intrusion. Turns out that the region’s conversion to drip irrigation and focus on conservation has a lot to do with it. Bob writes, “Twenty years ago, less than 3 percent of Salinas Valley vegetable acreage was under drip irrigation…(but) the water agency’s most recent survey shows that by 2012, drip irrigation was being used on nearly 60 percent of the vegetable acreage.” Bob goes on to write that between drip irrigation, water supply projects, and other conservation techniques, such as soil moisture sensors and flow meters, the Salinas Valley has even allowed the underground water table to rise.

A Shift to Drip Irrigation

Posted on April 15, 2013April 15, 2013 by torodriptips

In the wake of the drought, the Midwest is seeing a shift from pivot and furrow irrigation to drip irrigation on some acres. In a recent and great article by Corn&Soybean Digest, reporter Larry Stalcup wrote about making the switch to drip irrigation. Larry interviewed Don Anthony, a Lexington, Nebraska, grower to learn about his experiences with subsurface drip irrigation (SDI), as well as Freddie Lam, an agricultural engineer and irrigation researcher at Kansas State University.

According to Freddie Lam of Kansas State University, more than 300,000 acres are now drip irrigated in the Great Plains, much of which is cotton. But many growers in the western Corn Belt and southern High Plains are also making the shift to drip irrigation for other crops such as corn and soybeans.

Toro Releases New BlueLine® PC Dripline Emitter Flow Rate

Posted on March 28, 2013April 5, 2013 by torodriptips

This week, Toro announced a new emitter flow rate for its popular BlueLine^® PC dripline, the 0.26 GPH pressure-compensating (PC) emitter. This new 0.26 GPH pressure-compensating emitter is the latest addition to Toro’s other BlueLine PC flow rates (0.42, 0.53, and 1.00 GPH).

Toro’s BlueLine dripline is a tremendous advancement in dripline irrigation technology. Its pressure-compensating emitters provide greater resistance to plugging and superior flow accuracy, while the hose is incredibly durable. Traditionally used on permanent crops, BlueLine PC dripline can be installed above ground, below ground, or hanging on a wire.

WEBINAR: The Importance of Irrigation Scheduling to Manage Water & Nutrients in the Root Zone

Posted on March 18, 2013March 27, 2013 by torodriptips

On Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 1PM (Pacific Time), the Grange Network will be hosting a 60-minute, free webinar to discuss the

Good Water Management: A Wise Business Decision

Posted on March 14, 2013April 3, 2013 by torodriptips

Increasing water costs and water scarcity are becoming critical issues that are affecting the bottom lines for growers’ businesses. Whether these issues are the result of droughts, environmental concerns, or water regulations, the fact is that growers need to improve their water management techniques.

In a recent online article in Growing Produce, Michael Cahn highlights how growers in California are utilizing drip irrigation to improve their water management and crop quality. In one paragraph, Cahn writes, “In the Central Valley where surface water allocations can be limited during drought years, drip has allowed growers to farm more acres with less water. Besides saving water, drip provides more management options for growers. Under drip, tractor operations are less likely to be hampered by saturated furrows and application uniformity under drip is not affected by wind, which is common in the afternoon along the coast. Additionally, drip can reduce foliar disease pressure in crops by keeping leaves dry.”

VIDEO – Ag Warriors: Program Helps Veterans Find Jobs in Agriculture

Posted on March 11, 2013April 3, 2013 by torodriptips

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

WEBINAR REVIEW: Making Drip Irrigation Pay

Posted on March 7, 2013July 17, 2014 by torodriptips

Last week, we blogged about a free webinar produced by the Grange Network called “Making Drip Pay” that discussed how to increase income, reduce costs, and improve flexibility with drip irrigation. Led by Inge Bisconer of Toro Micro-Irrigation, the webinar highlighted how growers have quickly paid for the investment. For example, Chris and Stephen Cox, a father son team in Kansas, paid for their $1,100 per acre system in 1.5 years by increasing corn yields by 100 bushels per acre, and by reducing costs by about $160 per acre. They also received $330/acre of EQIP cost share.

Subsurface Drip Irrigation Helps West Texas Cotton Farmer Achieve Record Yields

Posted on February 28, 2013April 3, 2013 by torodriptips

Five-bale cotton yields would impress anybody. So when West Texas Cotton Farmer, William Carlton, averaged 2,575 pounds-per acre (five bales) on his 40-acre field with subsurface drip irrigation, he was pleased to say the least.

Carlton’s drip irrigation is spaced 80 inches apart and says his 1511 cotton variety “jumped out of the ground.”