DripTips by Toro Ag

Toro Irrigation During a Drought: Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI)

Posted on July 30, 2013June 23, 2014 by torodriptips

As the worst drought in 50 years gripped America’s farmland in the summer of 2012, and crop failure was rampant, three Nebraska producers reported increased soybean yields and significantly lower water use at the same time by using Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) to deliver water and nutrients directly to the roots of their crops. This was in contrast to the typical practice of applying water to the surface with gravity or sprinkler irrigation systems. In addition to improved yields and resource use efficiency (RUE), other benefits cited included an improved ability to farm in drought conditions, improved flexibility and improved convenience. In each of these case studies, the producer found SDI a worthwhile investment.

VIDEO: Tips for Growing Under High Tunnels

Posted on July 25, 2013July 17, 2014 by torodriptips

Brad Bergefurd, a horticulturist with Ohio State University, offers tips for growing tomatoes and strawberries under high tunnels with drip irrigation at Hirsch Fruit Farm in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Farmers Increase Production, Efficiency with No-Till & Drip Irrigation

Posted on July 23, 2013 by torodriptips

California cotton growers and water-starved fields could benefit from a conservation tillage practice not typical to this Golden State cash crop, although the practice is widely implemented and accepted elsewhere in the United States.

At Lucero Farms in Firebaugh, Calif., the decision this spring to implement no-till practices on cotton planted in western Fresno County seems a good one given a 20-percent water allocation via the State Water Project.

Sign Up for the DripTips eNewsletter!

Posted on July 17, 2013July 17, 2013 by torodriptips

In recognition of Smart Irrigation Month, we are thrilled to launch our first DripTips eNewsletter. Sign up, and we’ll send important drip irrigation news, tips, trends, videos, and more directly to your email inbox every other month. Plus, only subscribers will receive special promotions, offers and coupons – so be sure to subscribe by clicking the button in the right navigation, or simply click here.

In the meantime, if you’d like to learn more about DripTips or drip irrigation, click around our site. Whether you’re just getting started or want to know how to get the most out of your drip irrigation system, driptips.toro.com is the right place. Here, you’ll find drip irrigation best practices, how-to guides, design tools, videos, case studies, and more agriculture news than we can fit in an eNewsletter.

Also, we designed our site to encourage interaction, so feel free to post a comment, ask a question, or share a unique experience. Or, if you’d prefer to get one-on-one help, you can ask one of our drip irrigation experts questions or contact us directly through the “Ask an Expert” button, located in the right navigation.

Thanks for stopping by – and remember to sign up for the DripTips eNewsletter. We are really excited about all we have to share! (And we think you will be too.)

Colorado Farmers Try Subsurface Drip Irrigation

Posted on July 15, 2013 by torodriptips

In the back of almost every farm truck you are likely to find a pair of muddy irrigating boots. Stepping in the mud to shovel and straighten creases is common in the area, so getting muddy boots is just part of the job for most farmers. But one type of irrigation has the potential to get rid of some of the muck.

Subsurface drip (SDI) is a low-pressure, high-efficiency irrigation system that uses buried drip tubes or drip tape, essentially plastic tubing with holes in it, to meet crop water needs. This type of irrigation effectively waters the crops but keeps the surface dry. “The thing about this is that there is no run-off. If we do it correctly, there is no deep percolation. So essentially everything goes to the crop. So it’s very, very efficient,” said Calvin Pearson, research agronomist at the Colorado State University Fruita Agricultural Experiment Station.

Grants & Drip Irrigation Seen as Solution to Nitrate Contamination

Posted on July 11, 2013July 11, 2013 by torodriptips

Nitrate contamination is a common issue for growers in the Salinas Valley. Since nitrates can cause serious health issues and can negatively affect marine wildlife, significant grant money is being devoted to the issue. Drip irrigation is also part of the solution since it applies the right amount of water exactly where it is needed, increasing plant health and minimizing runoff.

VIDEO: Nebraska Farmers Share Drip Irrigation Success with NRCS

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

In a local news report, Nebraska farmers who have converted to water saving irrigation methods, such as drip irrigation, share their success stories with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Acting Chief, Jason Weller. Click here to watch the video.

July is Smart Irrigation Month

Posted on July 1, 2013July 1, 2013 by torodriptips

Although we should be mindful of our water use every month, July is the official “Smart Irrigation Month” because it is a peak month for outdoor water use. An initiative of the Irrigation Association (a non-profit industry organization dedicated to promoting efficient irrigation), Smart Irrigation Month is a public awareness campaign that seeks to promote effective practices and innovative technologies to:

Increase crop yield per acre
Apply water and nutrient inputs more precisely for improved results with no waste
Minimize runoff and top soil erosion
Help protect and preserve water supplies for today and the future

Growers Convert to Drip Irrigation as Water Shortages Continue

Posted on June 28, 2013June 28, 2013 by torodriptips

Since the drought of 2012, water shortages have been an on-going issue. Amongst those affected, growers in the San Joaquin Valley are receiving only a 20 percent allocation, and it could get worse. Growers are concerned that the shortages could extend into 2014.

General Mills CEO Discusses the Importance of Sustainable Agriculture

Posted on June 25, 2013June 25, 2013 by torodriptips

Drip Irrigation on Lettuce Sustainability is becoming a growing concern for individuals and big companies, alike. General Mills is just one example of a big company that has realized they have both a responsibility to promote efficient agricultural practices and an opportunity to maximize efficiency and productivity.

At Fortune‘s Brainstorm GREEN conference in Laguna Nigel, CA, General Mills CEO, Kendall Powell discussed the importance of sustainable agriculture and managing the global food supply. The entire transcript is available at cnn.com, but of special interest are his comments on drip irrigation, interest free loans, and rewarding growers who improve their efficiency and productivity.

VIDEO: Drip Irrigation Helps Peppermint Grower Irrigate More Efficiently

Posted on June 18, 2013April 19, 2017 by torodriptips

In this Boise, ID news report, local grower, Bob McKellip shares how drip irrigation has helped him irrigate peppermint more efficiently. Plus, it helps preserve the Boise River. Click here to watch the video.

To learn more about Bob McKellip’s experience with drip irrigation, click here to check out our case study.

Subsurface Drip Irrigation Shines at Alfalfa Field Day

Posted on June 12, 2013 by torodriptips

On May 15, UC Davis held its annual Alfalfa Field Day to discuss a number of topics, including pest management, varietal trials, and irrigation management. However, the highlight of the field day was the discussion on subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) for alfalfa.

UC Davis Extension agronomist and forage specialist, Dan Putnam, provided the benefits and disadvantages of alfalfa on SDI and introduced a three year project that is currently looking at the water use, yield opportunities, and rodent management strategies associated with SDI. As part of this effort, UC Davis will launch an online sharing group to allow grower collaboration for SDI on alfalfa. More information can be found at http://alfalfa.ucdavis.edu/.

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