Tag: subsurface 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.

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.

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.

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/.

VIDEO: Subsurface Drip Irrigation

Posted on May 30, 2013July 17, 2014 by torodriptips

The following video shows Toro and local dealer, Dubois Agrinovation, installing a subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) system with pressure-compensating Aqua-Traxx® PC drip tape. SDI optimizes the production of field crops, such as corn and soybeans.

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.

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.