Congratulations, JR Simplot Company on Your New Gator | by Jill Zwiener

Congratulations to another Valley Gator Giveaway winner, JR Simplot Company of Grand View, ID! JR Simplot was entered into the giveaway after purchasing Valley center pivots from Valley Dealer Interwest Supply last fall. Kent Kidd, Valley Irrigation Territory Manager, awarded the Gator to the lucky winners last month. 

Have fun with your new Gator, JR Simplot Company! We hope it helps you be more productive on your operation.

Pictured (left to right): Cole Kaiserman, Interwest Supply salesperson for Simplot, Danny Stimpson, Simplot Farm Supervisor, Kent Kidd, Valley Irrigation Territory Manager, Bob Evans, Simplot Farm Manager.

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.

Getting Ready for 2013 | by Kelly Downing

Isn’t it amazing how our perspective can change in such a short time? A year ago, the final month of winter seemed more like mid-spring. Our growing season started early and that pattern continued through the fall. In eastern Nebraska, our growing season was a full month ahead of “normal” conditions all summer long. Temperatures were abnormally high, and rainfall was frightfully scant, so crops matured earlier. Also, harvest was early and low (for dry land crops, anyway).

This spring isn’t horrible, but it seems like the winter is dragging on forever, when it is probably just a return to a more typical pattern. We are starting to see what we should expect: relatively warm periods intermixed with “regressions” into the 40s and freezing night time temperatures. As I try to remind my wife, it isn’t an unusually long winter, it is just what we should expect during the first month of spring.

It was nice last week to finally get into the field a little bit. I installed flow meters at Jeremy Baltz’s fields, in preparation for the growing season. Jeremy is helping us gather data for our crop insurance project. We will add his 2013 data to the others on file and use them to support an application to provide crop insurance for this production practice. Getting crop insurance coverage for pivot-grown rice has been a topic of interest for several growers. Valley Irrigation has been working with other interested industry partners for several years, and we are hopeful that we can file a successful application by the end of the year.

Flow meter installed on Jeremy's field

Part of this process is collecting some results that compare traditional practices with pivot irrigation. We have had some good luck with paired tests, and Jeremy’s fields will add to that collection. He has a flood field and a pivot field near each other; we will monitor relative yields, water use and other factors, and use these data to support the application. We welcome information like this from others, if you can share it.

The trend we have seen in the recent past continues—corn and soybean prices remain high enough to make those crops preferable to rice, at least for many growers with the flexibility to choose. It seems to the casual observer, though, that this trend is finally beginning to shift. If we really get all the acreage predicted into corn this year, and rice acres continue to shrink, there could be some good opportunities by next year. As usual, I will reserve my final predictions for the 2014 growing season for approximately December 2014!

In the meantime, I hope the weather treats you right, and I hope you have a safe, productive planting season. Stay in touch, and let us know what is going on in your area.


Do you have questions about irrigation rice with center pivots and linears? Click on the Comments link below to leave us your question!

	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.

Preseason Irrigation | by Travis Yeik

As the weather warms and the days grow longer here in the United States, you’re preparing for the planting season. But, before you rush out of the house and sow some seeds in the ground, you might want to consider preseason irrigation. Preseason irrigation, also known as preplant irrigation, is the application of water during fallow periods in order to help seed germination and early plant growth.

Studies investigating irrigation practices in the 1980s and 1990s generally concluded that in-season irrigation was more practical than preseason irrigation due to the fact that winter precipitation could replenish the soil water profile. However, due to recent drought conditions, winter precipitation has not provided the necessary moisture required for preparation of the planting season. A rootzone soil moisture map (below), created on April 8th by scientists at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, shows below-average conditions throughout the central and southwestern United States.

A recent study₁ in Kansas demonstrated that preseason irrigation amounts of 1.5 inches (applied separately in two passes several days apart with a sprinkler pivot) increased maize grain yields by an average of 16 bushels/acre. These returns were greatest when in-season irrigation amounts were limited to 0.7 inches/week and when planting densities were 27,500 plants/acre. Therefore, if water restrictions are tight this year, preseason irrigation may prove to be a successful strategy for you.

We want to hear from you! Do you have any questions on preseason or in-season irrigation? Click on the Comments link below to ask us your question!

1. Schlegel, A. J., Stone, L. R., Dumler, T. J., and Lamm, F. R. 2012. Managing diminished irrigation capacity with preseason irrigation and plant density for corn production. Transactions of the ASABE. 55(2): 525-531.

Travis Yeik Variable Rate Irrigation Agronomist Travis joined Valley Irrigation in February 2013 after completing his graduate degree at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. His work focuses on writing prescriptions for the Valley VRI products. As a native of Wyoming, Travis enjoys outdoor activities, including fly fishing and hiking. He also enjoys sports and is looking forward to baseball season.

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!

How Will Planet Water Spend Valley Irrigation Donation? | by Jill Zwiener

Mark Steele and Michelle Stolte

Well, you guys did it! Through the Valley_® Water Their World™ promotion, the followers of our Valley Irrigation Facebook page helped to donate $1,000 to Planet Water, a non-profit organization that brings clean water to disadvantaged communities. The work that Planet Water does is life-changing, so by your participation, you’re now helping change lives, too!

Last week, Michelle Stolte, Valley Irrigation Global Marketing Manager, and I had the opportunity to spend some time with Mark Steele, Planet Water Founder and CEO. Not only did we get to see his cool new digs in the historic Bull Durham Building in downtown Omaha, NE, but we also had a chance to sit down and chat. He told us the money donated by Valley Irrigation will help fund the project they’ve implemented in Cambodia. This project supports schools and rural villages in the Siem Reap province (for those of you who are scratching your heads thinking, “Now where is that located?” it’s in the north/northwest part of the country). Gotta feel great about helping kids have fresh drinking water!

Mark said Planet Water has nearly 300 projects implemented in villages and schools in 10 countries in Asia. They have a number of new developments in the works, including looking to extend their childhood education programs into a community outreach program. The target will be caregivers and young children who are too young to attend school. What a great organization! We are proud that we had the opportunity to work with Planet Water and hope Valmont has the chance to continue the partnership!

Thanks again to everyone who was a part of the Valley Water Their World promotion! And don’t let the fact that we’ve already reached our goal stop you from giving more. Remember: You can make a difference!

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for information on future partnerships and information on Planet Water!

Congratulations David Hardy - Gator Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to David Hardy of Fairview, MT, 1 of 4 of our Gator Giveaway winners! Check out this video to learn how he plans to use his new Gator!

Four-Wheelers, Memories and a BIG Congrats to our Four Gator Winners! | by Jill Zwiener

Some of my best memories as a child were driving around the farm on the four-wheeler! My sisters, brother and I would take turns helping Dad. We’d hold on tight and ride with him to check the irrigation in the fields nearby. As we got older he’d let us take it for a spin ourselves! We’d drive up and down the lane surrounded by the tall, green corn and fresh smell of summer on those warm, Nebraska evenings. Those are memories I’ll always cherish! And now, I’m hoping Valley Irrigation can help four people create long-lasting memories of their own! The Valley Gator Giveaway wrapped up last month and four lucky growers won a new custom-wrapped, John Deere Gator!

David Hardy | Gator Winner

Congratulations to our Valley Gator Giveaway Winners!

Keith Kincaid
Burrton, KS

David Hardy
Fairview, MT

Nick Totzke
Baroda, MI

JR Simplot Company
Grand View, ID

Over the next month, we’ll be featuring photos, videos and a brief post about each lucky winner. And for now, we’ll leave you with a quick pic of David Hardy with his new Gator! Check back later this week to see a video of him being awarded the Gator!