Tag: drip irrigation

WEBINAR: Subsurface Drip Irrigation for Grain Crop Production

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

On Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 1PM (Pacific Time), the Grange Network will be hosting a 60-minute, FREE webinar to discuss subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) for grain, oilseed, forage and fiber crops. When SDI is used for these lower value crops, careful attention must be given to ensuring system longevity and optimizing crop productivity so that SDI can economically compete with other types of irrigation, including center pivot sprinkler irrigation. The webinar’s presenter will be Dr. Freddie Lamm, a professor and research irrigation engineer at the KSU Northwest Research-Extension Center in Colby, Kansas. Dr. Lamm will provide an overview of typical minimal SDI system requirements to ensure longevity, discuss these lower value cropping systems when used with SDI, and present the challenges and opportunities for SDI.

Click here to register for the FREE webinar, “Subsurface Drip Irrigation for Grain Crop Production.”

Colorado Farmers Use Less Water, Improve Quality with Drip Irrigation

Posted on August 27, 2013April 19, 2017 by torodriptips

The future of agriculture across the Great Plains hinges on water. Without it, nothing can grow.

Climate models and population growth paint a pretty bleak picture for water availability a few decades from now. If farmers want to stay in business, they have to figure out how to do more with less. Enter: super efficient drip irrigation systems.

Toro to Offer Subsurface Drip Irrigation Guide, Education & Tools at Husker Harvest Days

Posted on August 21, 2013 by torodriptips

Toro will be exhibiting at Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island, Nebraska, offering a variety of ways for growers to learn about subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) and how it can help them maintain or increase yields using less water, even during a drought.

At the booth (#436), Toro will be hosting a number of growers and dealers to share their experiences with SDI to grow soybeans and corn in Nebraska. Interested growers can learn the benefits of SDI first-hand and get a free demonstration on designing an SDI system using Toro’s AquaFlow drip irrigation design software. Additionally, Toro will debut a new ‘how-to’ guide for SDI, based on case studies and years of research growing a variety of crops. Growers attending will also see the actual results of an SDI system at a field demonstration hosted by the show. The first in the show’s history, the demonstration plot irrigates a 30-acre cornfield with SDI buried 14 inches deep on 60 inch centers.

Subsurface Drip Irrigation Demo at Husker Harvest Days

Posted on August 15, 2013 by torodriptips

During Husker Harvest Days (HHD) this year, you’ll have a hard time seeing the newest irrigation addition at the show site six miles west of Grand Island. That’s because it’s underground.

A subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) system is watering a corn field south of the exhibit area in 2013. It’s the first time an SDI system has been installed at HHD. For 35 years, HHD has showcased irrigation technology and has featured center pivot manufacturers, pipe manufactures and dozens of other irrigation equipment suppliers. About every type of center pivot and lateral-move system has been installed during those years.

Roger Luebbe, site manager at HHD, says the SDI system replaces a hose-drag lateral move sprinkler that had been there for years and was “showing some fatigue.” Because of its efficiency and water delivery uniformity, SDI can save one-third of the water applied by a center pivot and 2/3 of the water applied by gravity irrigation systems.

Drip Irrigation Product Catalog – now available in English and Spanish Languages

Posted on August 8, 2013 by torodriptips

Toro recently announced that its micro-irrigation (aka. drip irrigation) product catalog for the agriculture industry is now available in both English and Spanish languages. The catalog covers Toro’s entire micro-irrigation product offering and highlights features, benefits, and specifications for each product.

However, what’s most interesting is that with the addition of a Spanish language catalog, Toro has displayed its dedication to customers throughout Latin America, as well as its commitment to accuracy and quality.

Texas Farm Increases Efficiency with Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI)

Posted on August 6, 2013 by torodriptips

Crops Manager for Daisy Farms, Jeff Fowler, is utilizing subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) and GPS technology to improve the dairy and crop operation’s efficiency. The subsurface drip irrigation system was installed on clay soils to make good on its commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship, as well as to get the most out of every drop of water.

“Drip irrigation is close to 100 percent efficient,” Fowler says. “We put water straight to the roots; we get no runoff; we don’t need as much water. When we put on a half-inch, we get a half-inch. We don’t have to apply three-fourths of an inch to get what we need.”

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.)

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.