Technology and Surface Water Applications | by Tyler Fields

There are places in the country where it is not feasible to drill wells for irrigation, yet these areas have plenty of surface water to use, coincidence? I think not.

The problem with surface water is that it comes in late fall through early spring, while the crop needs water in the summer. Want to solve that problem? Build a reservoir, pump into the reservoir when the water is flowing, and then pump out of the reservoir to a majestic Valley_® center pivot!

Valley Water Management (VWM) specializes in working with farmers to collect surface water runoff from their farms, pumping it into a reservoir and then using it for the irrigation season.

Maybe you’ve thought about building a reservoir and lost interest because there is so much involved in that type of project. VWM can take on that burden for you. We can design the entire project, work with your local dealer, and even provide construction management and inspections. You can move onto other projects around the farm and leave the managing to us.

Building a reservoir is an added cost, but it allows irrigation to be installed in a place that hasn’t had irrigation before. And, pumping surface water reduces the demand on your pumps. Less horsepower is required because the pumps aren’t pumping from hundreds of feet below ground. Less horsepower means less energy cost, which equals to cash savings at the end of the year.

Those savings correlate to what we strive to accomplish on every project, do more with less.

Another great feature of surface water to reservoir pumping is that it can be automated based on creek or river level to pump as much water as possible without drastically dropping the water level. The automation is user configurable for different set points to ensure the water level will be sustained, while still pumping as much water as possible to fill the reservoir.

The automation allows you to live your life, whether you’re coaching your kid’s T-ball game or taking a Sunday afternoon nap, and not worry about turning pumps on or off. This option has proven to be cost-effective and optimal where ground water is not available or is too expensive.

Not all areas are ideal for surface water application, but VWM can evaluate your farm and the feasibility of building such a project. Contact your local Valley dealer and ask for VWM’s expert advice to see if the project is a fit for you!

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R. Tyler Fields Agricultural Engineer Tyler, an agricultural engineer specializing in land and water resources, joined Valley Water Management in April 2013. He had worked in the Valley network for many years, enabling him to work closely with the agricultural irrigation community in assessing the needs of the farm and other Ag industries. Tyler grew up on a dairy farm in south Florida and also has been involved in the daily operations of ranches and row crop farms. Working for VWM allows him to pair his education and his love for agriculture.

Growers Power Up Energy and Savings

If you’re a trend watcher, then you know that trends tend to travel from east to west. With variable frequency drives, it’s the other way around. And what an energy-conserving, money-saving trend it is!

As the name indicates, a variable frequency drive (VFD) allows the motor speed to change as water pressure needs vary. According to Tyler Fields, Valley_® Water Management product sales manager, VFDs have been used pretty heavily in the hills of the West and Northwest United States for quite some time.

“That’s where growers really needed consistent water pressure, and they quickly saw the benefits of power savings, too,” he says. “Now, we’re offering an additional money-saver, Drive Connect™. It communicates from the end of the pivot to the pump, so the VFD can maintain pressure at the end of the pivot.”

Ryan Christensen can attest to that. Though he’s been using variable frequency drives for just a couple of years in Washington, where he grows alfalfa, timothy, hay, wheat, corn, beans, and cherries, he already has six VFDs. Four of those have Drive Connect.

“The first one I bought sold me on the value of VFDs,” says Christensen. “I have a pivot that’s on a very steep elevation – the end of the pivot goes from way uphill to way downhill, so knowing what the pressure is at the end of that pivot makes a real difference.

“I switched from a 100 horsepower pump that ran all the time to a 50 horsepower that runs at half speed about half the time. So not only are my crops getting watered evenly now, but my power savings should be phenomenal on that one pump alone.”

Power conservation is a big factor when it comes to VFDs, according to Lad Irrigation Sales Manager Doug Muscott.

“Power providers in Washington are very interested in variable frequency drives,” Muscott says. “They help offset the capital cost for the irrigator, while conserving power. Basically, from the power company’s point of view, using a VFD allows more people to have more power available to them. It’s great green technology.”

Christensen says power incentives really help offset the cost of installing VFDs too.

In Alabama, Lee Sublett is pretty new to VFDs. He has two separate pump stations with VFDs. One is on a creek and fills his reservoir. The other floats in a reservoir and supplies six pivots.

Sublett, a customer with New Market Agricultural Equipment in New Market, Ala., says it takes $2,500 worth of electricity to fill the reservoir, which holds 200 acre-feet. That’s enough water capacity to supply 6 inches of water per acre on 400 irrigated acres.

“I can honestly say that this particular situation would not work with anything other than an electric VFD,” says Sublett. “When the reservoir is full, the pump floats on about 25 feet of water, about 65 feet out.

“It works perfectly. Powering it on and off is as easy as using a light switch. The motor builds up slowly to a preset pressure and then shuts down slowly, too. Also, I can shut down one or two – maybe even more – of my irrigation machines on the pump, and the VFD will adjust and slow itself down to adjust the pressure to those preset settings. The options are practically endless.”

“I really prefer the electric motor, and I love my VFD,” adds Sublett. “My next project will definitely include both.”

Reprinted from Valley PivotPoint magazine, Winter 2014

The Future of Agriculture at the Sunbelt Ag Expo | by Tyler Fields

Tyler with his nephew,
the "future" of ag, at Sunbelt Ag Expo.

It was just another day in paradise! That was the outlook at the Sunbelt Ag Expo this past October in south Georgia, which some (myself that is) would even say God’s country!
I love the time of year when I see young kids and older adults walking around looking at the future of agriculture. Future isn’t just the new equipment and new technology, but it is also the young kids that are growing up and learning to live that demanding life in agriculture. 

Valley Water Management (VWM) uses new, cutting-edge technology to bring sustainability to your farm. Through our Variable Frequency Drives, custom telemetry and custom-engineered pump stations we are “Conserving Resources. Improving Life.” Think about that! I believe it means that in order for farms to grow and succeed for the younger generations, we need to use less to do more.

As you go throughout your day and the rest of the year, remember that VWM can integrate multiple systems on your farm to make your work less demanding and give you more time to spend with the younger “future” generation. Contact your local Valley Dealer with additional questions.

Meanwhile, I would like to wish you and your “futures” a Happy Thanksgiving!

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R. Tyler Fields Agricultural Engineer Tyler, an agricultural engineer specializing in land and water resources, joined Valley Water Management in April 2013. He had worked in the Valley network for many years, enabling him to work closely with the agricultural irrigation community in assessing the needs of the farm and other Ag industries. Tyler grew up on a dairy farm in south Florida and also has been involved in the daily operations of ranches and row crop farms. Working for VWM allows him to pair his education and his love for agriculture.