Originally posted in the Spring 2009 edition of PivotPoint.
Consider what low-pressure sprinkler technology
can do for your operation.
If your center pivot or linear machine is currently running at high pressure, consider this: low-pressure sprinkler technology effectively operates at 10-20 PSI, both reducing
your input costs and protecting soil integrity. It also allows for precise application in
different zones. This not only helps those producers in areas where water restrictions are
an ever increasing concern, but any producer who is interested in more managed and
uniform irrigation for crops, less soil disruption, and lower operating costs.
“Efficiency and uniformity are important factors in water application,” explained Jerry
Gerdes, Water Application Product Manager at Valley® Irrigation. “Water droplets must be large
enough that wind won’t evaporate or blow them away, but not too large to create run off
and soil disruption. The challenge for our sprinkler suppliers is to create sprinklers that
work at the highest efficiency, getting as much water in the ground as possible, while
avoiding those traditional problems.” According to Gerdes, rotating sprinklers available
through the Valley product line have been able to strike this balance.
Doug Muscott, a sales engineer with LAD Irrigation in Othello, Washington, agreed. “I’ve
been designing and selling irrigation equipment for more than 30 years, and I know that
what matters to the grower is good engineering. Sometimes people get caught up in the
flash of what’s new, but in the end it is about delivering the right amount of water for that
crop. The new technology being used at Valley does this.”
“The low-pressure equipment now available is designed to deliver optimal irrigation water
within the important parameters – soil intake rate, water holding capacity of the soil,
climate and water needs, and of course the type of crops being farmed,” he added.
There are additional benefits to using low-pressure sprinklers, according to James Burks,
President of Senninger® Irrigation, a Valley sprinkler supplier. “The trend is to cut back on
water available for irrigation. Producers are asked to produce sufficient crops to feed a
burgeoning world population and be profitable with less water, so water efficiently making
its way to the plant is of huge importance. If we can provide high pattern integrity and low
pressure application, we can help growers do so,” he shared.
Watch the video below for a demonstration of Senninger i-Wob UP3 sprinklers on a center pivot. For more Senninger sprinkler video demonstrations, visit their YouTube Channel.
Jim Reid, co-owner of Reid Brothers Irrigation in Unadilla, Georgia, sees low-pressure
sprinklers helping growers using zone application as well. “For the producers we work
with who grow multiple crops, these low-pressure sprinklers are ideal. Using one of the
Valley panels, like the Select2 or Pro2, they can put out different rates of water in each
section, varying the amount of water on designated areas of the field. This eliminates the
need to guess what time you must be in the field to slow the water down. It can now be automatically adjusted, even at low pressure.”
Valley has long been a leader in developing this
technology and bringing it to growers. Along
with their sprinkler partners, Nelson® Irrigation
and Senninger Irrigation, they’re bringing the
latest solutions to growers nationwide.
Muscott believes the leadership of Valley
within the industry in the area of low-pressure
sprinklers comes from their dedication to not
only engineering research and development,
but staying on the forefront of the technology
involved.
Watch the video below for a demonstration of Nelson A3000 Rotator® sprinklers on a center pivot. For more Nelson sprinkler video demonstrations, visit their YouTube Channel.
“Water application specialists at Valley Irrigation are certified by the
Irrigation Association, which indicates their dedication
to staying at the forefront of irrigation technology.
This is important for growers, because these
are the same people dealers call for assistance
when they are helping growers determine how
to build a sprinkler package that will meet their
particular needs. If you tie a grower to the wrong
sprinkler package, it can have damaging effects
on their bottom line. All input costs have inflation
factors – including irrigation water and the
energy necessary to get it to the crops. Costs
will inflate, but commodity prices do not – they
are volatile,” Muscott explained.
“The good news is that Valley, and
their dealer network, not only has the
advanced equipment, but the knowledge,
the engineering experience and the
insight to understand how best to apply
the technology to the bottom line:
helping growers do more with less,” he
concluded.
Want PivotPoint newsletter articles the minute they become available? Subscribe today!
