Learning and Fun on Saturday Morning | by Cole Fredrick

A few months back, I got the opportunity participate in an Art (+) Smart Saturdays program at The Durham Museum. The event featured engineering and focused on Valmont_® Industries, Inc., and the products it produces. So, naturally it included Structures, Lighting and, of course, Valley_® Irrigation. 

This program was a chance for kids of all ages to come in and see what companies such as Valmont and Kiewit produce or manufacture, and also how they developed. This was a great opportunity to not only talk to kids, but also parents, about the industry, where we have been, and where we are going. I spent much of the time talking with folks about how their parents or grandparents had worked for Valley and the experiences they had.

Many people had grown up on farms and knew exactly what a center pivot was. At the same time, it was entertaining to hear from others that they thought crop circles were from aliens! (I still always describe my job like that when traveling). It was amazing to show them how we produce crops and how technology can link everything together.

We also offered some hands-on projects. I set up a BaseStation3™ module and essentially let the kids play a video game of irrigating. It is always interesting when you tell them you can water the world from an iPhone®. Plus, it is literally like a video game.

The Valmont structures team was also there, and  one of the activities they offered was a gumdrop structure build off. This was entertaining as the kids normally walked away with super sticky fingers and a parent shrugging their shoulders!

This experience helped me realize the importance of educating and especially hands-on learning. What I thought would be a boring Saturday morning turned out to be a great day of learning and visiting.

Which brings me to my last thought, since this was such a good event, make sure to visit the Omaha Children’s Museum where Valmont has an actual pivot outside and a smaller pivot inside for the kids to see! It is called Once Upon a Farm and it is sure to lead to a good time and lots of learning!

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Cole Fredrick Product Manager - Variable Rate Irrigation Cole has been with Valley Irrigation since 2011, where he manages the Valley Variable Rate Irrigation products. He was born and raised on a farm near Grand Island, NE (AKA "paradise"), and he tries to return back home as often as possible. Cole is a HUGE Husker fanatic! He stays young by enjoying all outdoor activities and almost any sport.

A Trip Down Under | by Cole Fredrick

So one of the “perks” of my job is I travel. A lot. There have been many times when that travel has been challenging. Just the other day I was stuck in an airport while it was shut down because of tornadoes and other weather. I can assure you that utter chaos followed for the next 5 hours, but that is a story for another time. That being said, a majority of my travel is quite enjoyable.

A few weeks ago, I got the chance to travel down under to Australia and New Zealand. I consider this a great perk – not many people get the opportunity to take a trip down under. I also question whether it was a perk because anytime you take a 15-hour plane ride with your boss you question if your career is headed in the right direction! Despite the length, I was surprised at how comfortable I actually was on my flight there and back. Thank you Delta for making it a great flight! Airplane food is not all that bad.

We first flew into Christchurch, New Zealand, and it took about 24 hours of total travel time to get there. Needless to say, I was exhausted. After recovering, I spent the next few days with a couple of our dealers in New Zealand. What a wonderful bunch of people. I must say, I learned quickly that a Flat White (coffee) is amazing and you don’t mess around with a man’s afternoon tea or coffee!
While in New Zealand, the first thing I wanted to do was look for Frodo from the “Lord of the Rings.” Obviously, the boss said that wasn’t in the cards.

New Zealand really is a beautiful country. Coming from central Nebraska, I am used to corn, soybeans, and pastures. In New Zealand, there are dairies. And tons of them! They are somewhere near the top, if not the top, dairy producing country in the world. Pretty good for an island country of its size.

I was simply amazed at the innovation they use to water pastures, keeping them in tiptop shape for the cattle, and at the environments the dairy cattle live in. Let’s just say that they have it pretty good over there.

One of the main reasons I was down there was to see how they use of Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI). They actually use VRI to split a pasture into paddocks that are rotated for the cattle. I thought this was pure genius because it is so efficient. It allows them to turn water off over cattle walking path,s as well as keep any runoff to a minimum. Just some of the great things that New Zealand is doing.

Here is an image showing the paddocks:

One thing I learned quickly in these two countries is that there are a ton of roundabouts and not as many stop signs as we have here in the United States. They also have a lot of “yield of ways,” which means approach the intersection cautiously and stop if necessary, otherwise go on through. I can tell you, I got used to this and even tried to incorporate it here in the States. Unfortunately, a local sheriff warned me of the consequences of that particular practice…

After a few days in New Zealand, we caught a flight to Brisbane, Australia. I always thought these two islands were just a hop, skip, and a jump apart. I was wrong. It was a 3-hour plus flight. After the flight, we drove a few hours to meet with some more dealers.

I was impressed with the names: Toowoomba, Goondiwindi. I am not quite sure if we were in the Outback, but I tell everyone I was! I was also amazed at the contrast between New Zealand and Australia. Australia was more like a desert than New Zealand, although they seem so close together. And to my surprise, I was able to see numerous kangaroos! This was truly a great place.

I was even more surprised by the incredible innovations of the people in these two island countries. I was there looking at irrigation machines and how the growers make them work for their different situations. The engineering and creativeness they came up with was spectacular.

Overall, I would say this was a job perk. An opportunity to visit our devoted Valley customers and dealers, and seeing the differences in the irrigation business and the agriculture problems they encounter. I am still amazed at how awesome all of the people that I met were. I look forward to the day I get to return and spend some more time. I suppose if I have to go with my boss again, I will let him tag along…

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Cole Fredrick Product Manager - Variable Rate Irrigation Cole has been with Valley Irrigation since 2011, where he manages the Valley Variable Rate Irrigation products. He was born and raised on a farm near Grand Island, NE (AKA "paradise"), and he tries to return back home as often as possible. Cole is a HUGE Husker fanatic! He stays young by enjoying all outdoor activities and almost any sport.

America’s Largest Indoor Farm Show | by Cole Fredrick

During the week of February 10, there was a show in Louisville, KY, called the National Farm Machinery Show. This just so happens to be the largest indoor show in the United States! It also happens to be one of my favorite shows to attend.

This year was especially a good year because we got to focus on technology. We had a great showing of Valley® representatives, including all the local dealers who helped, and we had an impressive booth featuring two new products, BaseStation3™ and SoilPro™ 1200. We were also able to display the BaseStation3 and VRI in the booth, allowing everyone to really see the advantages.

While I was there, I was asked to be part of a panel discussing Variable Rate Irrigation. We talked about where we are with this technology and where we are headed. The panel of three people and about 100 audience members had an open discussion on VRI. It was a great opportunity to promote this technology and really get it out there in front of the public.

One of the best things about going to farm shows is getting to work closely with dealers and customers. The amount that a person can learn from them is amazing. We also bring back new ideas and thoughts from the people using our products.

Along with all of these great things, there is also the food…and, by food, I mean ice cream! Almost all shows have some sort of ice cream stand that makes the show worth going to! There are also all kinds of the other great eating establishments at the show.

Being able to attend these shows allows a person to see the new technologies coming out and what companies are striving toward in the future. You really get to see where the future of agriculture is going.

Many of you may not have made it to the National Farm and Machinery Show, but if you happen to be in Memphis, TN, this weekend (February 28 and March 1), Valley Irrigation will be at the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show. So feel free to stop by, say hello and see where the future of irrigation is going!

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Cole Fredrick Product Manager - Variable Rate Irrigation Cole has been with Valley Irrigation since 2011, where he manages the Valley Variable Rate Irrigation products. He was born and raised on a farm near Grand Island, NE (AKA "paradise"), and he tries to return back home as often as possible. Cole is a HUGE Husker fanatic! He stays young by enjoying all outdoor activities and almost any sport.

VRI Provides Impressive ROI

Originally published in PivotPoint Summer 2013.

Soil and topography can vary drastically within each field, making precise, uniform irrigation very challenging, even with the best irrigation equipment. Valley_® Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) allows growers to increase yields by using water more efficiently.

“It’s an easy way to increase profitability,” says Valley VRI Product Manager Cole Fredrick. “Growers can look at their field data and make adjustments as often as they need to. When used properly, the return on investment should be very fast – between one and three years.”

Growers Take Control

Patented Valley VRI allows growers to adjust the watering rate in a particular sector or management zone.

Based on an uploaded VRI Prescription, VRI Speed Control increases or decreases the speed of the pivot itself to provide the desired application depth along each sector.

“Growers can do this with any Pro2 or Select2 control panel, with a simple software upgrade,” explains Fredrick. “The sprinkler packages don’t require any change at all. TrackerPro or TrackerLT remote communication devices allow growers to use VRI Speed Control with a Valley Classic or ClassicPlus control panel, too – or even with a non-Valley machine.”

VRI Zone Control uses an uploaded prescription, too, but the sprinkler valves pulse along specified pivot zones to reach the right application depth within a management zone. This is perfect for pivots that go over ditches, canals, wet areas, roads, or other obstacles.

For Zone Control, a Pro2 panel and other hardware is required to control individual sprinkler banks for precise water application.

Valley VRI software helps growers and/or their Valley dealer create a VRI Prescription based on topography, soil data maps, yield data, and other user-defined field information. The QuickStart (QS) Prescription for Speed Control is custom-designed for individual fields. It can be uploaded onto new machines, so the grower can start using VRI benefits as soon it is installed, or the QS Prescription can upload to any existing VRI-Ready machines.

Saving Water and Energy

In a 2010 Kansas field study, using VRI significantly educed field variability, and light-textured soils yielded well, even in a dry year. Also, 12 percent less irrigation was applied by using the prescription across the field,reducing water and energy use.¹ 

Ahmad Khalilian, agricultural engineer at Clemson’s Edisto Research and Education Center in Blackville, SC, conducted three on-farm test systems using VRI, which he believes will save 1.4 to 2.8 million gallons of water per year. 

“Variable Rate Irrigation also means less energy for pumping, less water runs off the field, and less pollution reaches streams,” Khalilian says.²

“It’s definitely a good, sound investment,” says Fredrick. “I’m telling you, it’s worth it!”


For more information on Variable Rate Irrigation (VRI) from Valley, visit www.valleyirrigation.com.

¹ Variable Rate Irrigation 2010 Field Results for Center Plains Conference. Jacob L. LaRue, Valmont Irrigation. http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/irrigate/OOW/P11/Larue11.pdf.

² Variable rate irrigation reduces water use, Impacts Magazine, Tom Lollis, Copyright © 2013 Clemson University, Clemson, SC. All Rights Reserved. Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, Tel (864) 656-3311.

Introducing the Valley Irrigation Bloggers!

With a new name and a new look, the Growing the Conversation blog also has some new voices! We want to take this opportunity to give you a face to put with the writing.

Valley Irrigation Global Marketing Department

		Matt Ondrejko Vice President Global Marketing Matt is the newest addition to the Valley Irrigation Global Marketing Department. The one word that can sum up Matt is "enthusiasm"! He likes to be on-the-go and have fun along the way. Matt loves music and the 1980s era. He is a child of the MTV generation and has a deep appreciation of all music genres (specifically, he is a huge Dave Matthews Band groupie). Matt has traveled to more than 70 countries around the world and enjoys learning about different cultures and people. He spent three years living with his family in Leuven, Belgium, trying to enjoy as many of the 700+ beers they brew there.
		Michelle Stolte  Global Marketing Manager Michelle has been at Valley Irrigation for over 10 years and is finally no longer a newbie! She has spent her entire time at Valley in the Marketing Department (international and domestic) and loves every minute of it. Michelle enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband. She also likes reading, swing dancing (although she isn't really that good...), and warm weather, so she is excited it is finally Spring!
		Kelly Cox  Global Digital Marketing Manager Kelly joined the Valley Irrigation Global Marketing Department in 2008. Her love of all things geek (steampunk furniture, anime, Doctor Who, and science fiction/fantasy literature, just to name a few) helped shape her appreciation for technology and the web. Kelly is a newlywed and new homeowner, where she shares her geekery with her husband and cat Kiba. She considers herself a wine connoisseur (though, 3 buck Chuck is delicious!) and has a love of painting, dance, and singing.
		Jill Zwiener  Global Marketing Communications Administrator Jill joined the Valley Irrigation team in 2011. She loves country music, fountain soda, food, college football, and the ski slopes of Colorado. She enjoys using photography to freeze the precious bits of time with her family into pictures that she can cherish for years.
		Cindy Barry  Co-op/Database Administrator Cindy has been with Valley Irrigation for over six years. In her spare time, Cindy loves to read, travel, luxury camp (ie: with bed, TV, and AC...) and, most of all, take care of her one-year-old grandson! And, she would like everyone to know that she is totally bribable with chocolate!
		Brooke Stover Global Marketing Assistant Brooke has been with the Valley Irrigation Global Marketing department since 2011. She spends her free time taking pottery classes; though she thoroughly enjoys this, most of her stuff is a bit lopsided. Brooke also loves to read and listen to Frank Sinatra. She enjoys traveling and has been to 11 countries with the goal to make it to six more in the next six years!

Other Contributing Authors

	Kelly Downing Global Irrigation Specialist Kelly, Nebraska-based Irrigation Specialist, spent 10 years working on soil and water research projects for a major agricultural university, involving a variety of crops. His work focused on irrigation management, but also included other topics. Since joining Valley Irrigation, he has worked in the fields of Service, Product Management, Product Reliability and Sales. Kelly focuses on developing projects in irrigation field management and providing recommendations for the Circles for Rice project. Kelly has traveled to several countries providing technical support, such as soil moisture monitoring and irrigation management training.
	Cole Fredrick Product Manager - Variable Rate Irrigation Cole has been with Valley Irrigation since 2011, where he manages the Valley Variable Rate Irrigation products. He was born and raised on a farm near Grand Island, NE (AKA "paradise"), and he tries to return back home as often as possible. Cole is a HUGE Husker fanatic! He stays young by enjoying all outdoor activities and almost any sport.
	John Kastl Product Manager - Equipment John joined the Valley Irrigation Engineering Department in 2000 after having spent 11 years at General Electric Aircraft Engines. Today, he manages the equipment products for Valley (center pivots, corners, and gearbox, to name a few), helping develop the next generation of Valley Irrigation machines. John enjoys photography, home renovation, and travel. On his third birthday, John watched the first moon landing!

We'll introduce other contributing authors as they jump on. But, now we want to hear from YOU! What topics do you want to read about? Is there a particular Valley product or technology you've been wanting to know more about? Don't be shy - click on the Comments box below to post your question or feedback!