Don’t Miss the Feb. 10 Deadline | by Shannon Peterson

If you read other ag blogs or visit other agriculture websites, you’ve probably heard this message already. Even so, it merits repeating.

You recently received the Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey in the mail. Please fill it out and return it to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) by Feb. 10.

Why?

Well, first and foremost, you are required by law to respond.

But, additionally, the timely, accurate, and useful statistics from this survey are critically important to growers, the irrigation industry, farm organizations, funding sources, and others involved in agriculture.

Here at Valley_®, we use the survey data to explain irrigation efficiencies. We use it to demonstrate the commitment of irrigators to the conservation of our most valuable resource. We use it to defend irrigation practices, farmers, and our products. And we use it to refute false statements that appear in media coverage and elsewhere.

The survey results also aid in the development of improved technology, better equipment, and more efficient water-use practices.

According to the NASS:

• This survey provides the only comprehensive information on irrigation activities and water use across American farms, ranches, and horticultural operations.
• It provides information on water sources and amount of water used, acres irrigated by type of system, irrigation and yield by crop, and system investments and energy costs.
• Approximately 35,000 producers across the United States will participate in the survey.
• The results help develop and promote efficient irrigation practices and ensure long-term sustainability of water resources.
• Your responses will not be shared with anyone, including other government agencies, under threat of subpoena.

Your voice matters and your participation is vitally important.

So, fill it out and send it in.

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Shannon Peterson Marketing Content Editor Shannon joined Valley Irrigation in 2013. She enjoys traveling with her family, particularly to national parks, and she occasionally writes about her travels for travel magazines. Shannon also likes reading, trying new restaurants, seeing movies, and watching Husker football and Creighton basketball. However, she and her husband spend most of their free time chauffeuring their teenage son to activities and chasing their baby daughter.

Everything is Big in Texas, Including the Irrigation Show | by Jerry Gerdes

When attending the Irrigation Association Irrigation Show & Education Conference, I always look forward to seeing friends and colleagues and catching up with what is going on in their lives, and also talking some business. This year’s meeting held special meaning for me.

Photo courtesy of Paige Electric

Last summer, I was nominated for an open position on the Irrigation Association Certification Board and in August received word that I had been selected to join the board after the 2013 meeting. I’m honored to represent the agricultural irrigation industry as a member of the board.

At last week’s meeting, I had the opportunity to meet the current board members and sit in on the board meetings. Everyone made me feel very welcome. I look forward to continuing the great work that has been done since the Certification Board was created 30 years ago.

The I.A. Certification Program allows people within the irrigation industry to demonstrate their knowledge by passing examinations and becoming certified in specific areas of irrigation. If you are interested in knowing more about the Certification Program, visit the I.A. website and click on certification.

The Valley_® display booth saw very good traffic throughout the show. Attendees from all around the world stopped to visit with us about the Valley center pivot and linear product lines. The show is also an excellent opportunity for me to find out what’s new in irrigation.

Texas State Capital Building

This year’s show was held in downtown Austin, TX, where the weather was quite comfortable compared to Nebraska in November.

This was my first visit to Austin, so I set aside a few hours to explore the downtown area. There are many restaurants to choose from, and I highly recommend the Vince Young Steakhouse on Second Street and Eddy V’s Prime Seafood on Fifth Street.

The Texas State Capital is in the downtown area and was one of the highlights of my visit to Austin. Like most things in Texas, it is very big!

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Jerry Gerdes Product Manager - Water Application Jerry, Nebraska-based Water Application Product Manager, contributes years of experience from his time working for a sprinkler manufacturer prior to joining Valley Irrigation. Currently working with different sprinkler manufacturers, Jerry develops the recommendations for the optimum water application package for a grower's operation.

Kickin’ It Down South at Sunbelt Ag Expo | by Kelly Cox

Taken outside during the Southern boil

In the chicken booth

At sunrise

I love the South. I just do, and I always have. Great food, great landscape, great people. In fact, the South is the only place on this planet where I am OK with being called “ma’am” (people in all other places can only “ma’am” me when I’m either 30 or a mother, whichever comes first).

Though I’ve spent plenty of time down South in my lifetime, last week was my first visit to Moultrie, GA. It was also my first time trying boiled peanuts (…very salty experience…), my first time eating dinner at a Southern boil, and my first time attending the Sunbelt Ag Expo.

Now, I didn’t know what to expect at this farm show, since it was my first time attending. But, I’ve got to say, I had an absolute whirlwind of a time! It was hot (90 degrees, humid), but it was preferable to what my husband described as “stupidly cold” back home in Omaha, NE (I even returned home with a suntan – who else in Nebraska can say that in mid-October?).

Three things stand out to me about this farm show:

1. Our dealers who attended the show were among the most hospitable people I’ve ever met. Thank you all for showing a Mid-Western girl how a farm show is done in the South!
2. There was food everywhere, ranging from homemade ice cream to pulled pork to (you guessed it) boiled peanuts.
3. Chickens, chickens, and more chickens. I found a booth showcasing various kinds of chickens, and, I must say, I’ve never been that close to a live chicken! To be honest, I think chickens are awesomely lurky and I took a ton of pictures.

A surprise from this show was the beautiful Valley® Precision Corner® on cotton just outside the show grounds. One early morning, a few of us got up early and took some photos of the field with the sun rising behind it – what an awesome, yet peaceful, impromptu photo shoot!

For those of you who attended one of our farm show booths this year in California, Kentucky, Illinois, Nebraska, or Georgia – thank you. Thank you for visiting us. Thank you for supporting center pivot irrigation. And thank you for feeding the world.

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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.

Drought in the United States: Update

We have what's looking like good news to share! Comparing drought maps from last fall and today (pictured below), we are seeing drought improvement in the Eastern Corn Belt and reduction in severity and extent in the Great Plains. But, keep in mind that these conditions can change at any time.  Center pivot irrigation not only offers insurance in drought years, but also preparation for unpredictable drought conditions that may arise.

To keep tabs on the drought map, visit www.DroughtMonitor.unl.edu/monitor.html.

Drought map | October 2012

Drought map | April 2013