Irrigation

Beyond the Surfactant: Product Focuses on Water Optimization

Thu, 14 May 2026 17:08:30 GMT

Huma has announced the California registration of Surf-Max, a next-generation water optimizer and surfactant designed to help growers “make every drop count” amid tightening water allocations. Moving beyond traditional surfactants, Surf-Max is positioned as a water efficiency optimizer that reduces surface tension by 50%, ensuring moisture and nutrients reach the root zone instead of pooling or evaporating.

Official California Registration

The most significant news is that Surf-Max is now registered for use in California. This opens up access to 9.6 million acres of irrigated land where water scarcity is an issue. While previously available in other parts of the West and Southwest, this registration allows Huma to target the high-value specialty crop market in California directly.

Data-Driven Results: 7 Years of Significant Water Savings

The product is backed by a substantial seven-year research study from Spain (Agron) that demonstrated a 10% to 30% reduction in water use while maintaining consistent yields.

“Previously, this product was mainly marketed a surfactant, and then there’s been some recent research that’s come out of our distributor in Spain that says, holy cow, it’s really a water efficiency utilization tool,” says Fred Nichols, executive vice president, chief sales & marketing officer.

Specific highlights include:

22% water savings in lettuce
20% water savings in olives
15% water savings in tomatoes

“Making Water Wetter” with Micro Carbon Technology

Nichols describes the product as a “water efficiency optimizer” rather than just a traditional surfactant.

“There’s all kinds of surfactants on the market, and a lot of times, it’s the lowest price wins. This is not that. This is something totally different thanks to the Micro Carbon Technology,” Nichols says.

Powered by Huma’s proprietary Micro Carbon Technology, Surf-Max reduces water surface tension by 50%. This prevents pooling, puddling, and evaporation, instead creating a “wetting bulb” that moves water and nutrients horizontally and vertically into the root zone (down to about 15 inches).

“It’s a two-for-one. It’s a water optimizer, while being an excellent carrier with our humic-based liquid carrier. It delivers what you want, where you want it. And when you put that on with your fertigation, it will not pool, it will not puddle, which leads to higher evaporation,” Nichols says.

Enhanced Nutrient Density & ROI

Beyond hydration, the product acts as a high-efficiency carrier that improves nutrient uptake. Field results showed significant increases in nutrient density for processed tomatoes, including:

50% increase in phosphorus
28% increase in copper
11-17% increase in iron and manganese

Small Dose, Big Impact: One Pint Per Acre

Surf-Max is designed for modern irrigation systems, including drip tape and pivots, without the risk of clogging or equipment damage. It features an low use rate of just one pint per acre, making it an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution for growers looking to maximize their return on investment (ROI).

“This is an eco-friendly, biodegradable product that is a great fit for fertigation,” Nichols says.

Strategic Evolution for Huma

This launch represents a shift in Huma’s brand positioning. By moving beyond traditional soil amendments into “water optimization,” Huma is broadening its portfolio to provide diverse, technology-driven solutions for the “today’s reality” of restricted water allocations.

“In the past, this product was a modest product for us. But with the new registration, the long-term study from our distributor, and our better placement in market, we are changing the reach of this product,” Nichols says.

Treat Soil Moisture Like A Checkbook To Sharpen Irrigation Decisions

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:07:09 GMT

As irrigation costs climb and weather grows more erratic, farmers are under pressure to make every inch of water count. One of the simplest, most practical tools they can use this season won’t require new hardware on the pivot — just a different way of thinking about soil moisture.

North Dakota State University associate professor and irrigation engineer Dean Steele encourages farmers to manage soil water like their checkbook: track deposits and withdrawals, and don’t let the account get overdrawn. That mindset, he says, is the foundation of better irrigation timing and improved efficiency.

“The soil is our bank account. We’ve got withdrawals and deposits,” he notes. “Your deposits are the rain and irrigation. Your withdrawals are the crop water use and things like the deep percolation and maybe some runoff.”

The soil profile starts each growing season with a certain balance of water. Every day, evapotranspiration (ET) — the combined effect of evaporation from the soil and transpiration from the crop — pulls moisture out. Rain and irrigation add it back in.

Just as with a financial account, it’s not enough to know how much “money” moves in and out over a year. What also matters is when it moves — especially during critical periods like tasseling or grain fill, Steele says.

Why Seasonal Totals Can Mislead

Steele uses a favorite classroom trick question to show why irrigation timing is so important.

He asks students: If a crop needs 18 inches of ET over a season and the farm receives 12 inches of rain, how much irrigation is required?

The obvious answer is six inches. But that is incorrect.

“If all the rain of that 12 inches comes on May 1, and you get nothing the rest of the season, then you still need 18 inches,” Steele explains.

In that scenario, early-season rain may fill the soil profile, but if it’s not replenished as the crop draws water in July and August, the soil account will be overdrawn exactly when the plant is most sensitive to stress.

The lesson, Steele says, is that seasonal totals hide risk. Farmers need to track the running balance in the soil, not just the sum of rainfall and irrigation on a yearly chart.

Build A Simple Water-Balance Ledger

Steele says growers can implement a practical water-balance approach with tools many already have: a rain gauge, basic ET information and records of irrigation events, often available in their spreadsheet.

A basic checkbook-style water balance would include these four elements:

1. Starting balance: Estimate available water in the rooting zone at planting (for example, after pre-watering or spring recharge).

2. Daily withdrawals: Use ET estimates (from local weather networks, Extension tools or ET calculators) to subtract crop water use.

3. Daily deposits:
- Add effective rainfall (total rain minus runoff or obvious losses).
- Add irrigation applied (inches per pass or per revolution).

4. Running balance: Track how much water remains in the effective root zone relative to field capacity and a chosen depletion limit.

Steele compares ET and side losses to an unavoidable set of expenses — “groceries… housing and taxes” — that must be paid out of the account every day. If those outflows consistently exceed deposits, the crop will eventually experience stress long before the calendar suggests it should.

Adapting The Method To Different Climates

The same accounting framework applies whether you farm in the upper Midwest or the High Plains, but the numbers in the ledger will look very different.

In North Dakota, Steele notes, seasonal ET is relatively modest and summer rainfall sometimes helps “catch up,” meaning there can be more opportunities to pause or reduce irrigation when rainstorms arrive.

In the central and southern High Plains the withdrawals are much larger, according to Brian Arnall, a precision nutrient management Extension specialist at Oklahoma State University.

“Our max ETs can easily hit three‑quarters of an inch a day; our normal ET is half an inch,” Arnall says.

With 100-degree days, 30% humidity and rapidly growing corn, the soil account in the High Plains empties fast. That’s why, in many of those systems, pivots rarely shut off once they’re started, notes Arnall.

“By the end of our cropping season, we’ll probably be right at neutral, if not negative, as far as total ET and application,” he says.

For growers in Arnall’s area, the checkbook model confirms that almost constant deposits are required just to keep pace — and it can help reveal when small interruptions in irrigation might tip the balance into stress.

Match Irrigation To Crop Root Depth And Soil Type

Steele emphasizes that the size of a farmer’s “bank account” also depends on crop rooting depth and soil characteristics. Deep‑rooted corn on heavier soils can draw from a larger reservoir; potatoes on sandy ground with shallow roots cannot, he notes.

“With a corn crop… two‑thirds of an inch, that’s not a lot of water,” Steele says. In potato ground, by contrast, “if you’re managing 12 inches or 18 inches of root zone depth, that’s maybe what you’ve got to work with, so you’ve got to be around the circle more frequently.”

For farmers, that means:

In deep profiles with good water-holding capacity, the starting moisture balance is higher, and the system can tolerate larger withdrawals between irrigations.
In shallow or sandy profiles, the usable balance is small, so even modest daily ET can rapidly overdraw the account unless irrigations are more frequent.

Using The Ledger To Time Irrigation

Once a farmer has a running soil water balance, the irrigation decision can become a more disciplined approach. Steele advises growers to:

1. Irrigate when the projected balance approaches a chosen depletion threshold, not just when the soil surface looks dry.

2. Adjust application depth so that deposits match likely withdrawals over the next several days, considering forecast ET and possible rainfall.

3. Plan ahead for long pivot runs or “wipers,” where the time needed to complete a pass can allow the far end of the field to spend down its account before the irrigation system returns to that point in the field.

Steele says that on complex systems like windshield‑wiper pivots, he would pay special attention to water balance at both the starting and ending points.

“If I had a windshield wiper, I’d want to keep track of the starting and ending points and see how I’m doing, to make sure… you get back to that starting point in time,” he explains.

In practice, this might mean increasing application depth on certain passes, slowing the pivot at critical growth stages or strategically skipping lower‑risk areas where the account is still healthy.

Adding Sensors And ET Tools To The Checkbook

While Steele’s checkbook analogy can be implemented with simple records, it also provides a framework for using more advanced tech tools. Soil moisture sensors can serve as “bank statements,” verifying that the modeled balance matches reality. ET models and remote sensing can sharpen estimates of daily withdrawals, especially as researchers develop radar‑ and satellite‑based crop water use tools.

“There are people using satellite imagery as part of developing an integrated irrigation management system ... they’re keeping track of weather and soils and doing some estimation of crop water needs, and trying to estimate when the crop is going to need water, and then actually run the irrigation system,” Steele says.

In addition, local irrigation dealers and irrigation equipment manufacturers have apps and tools for managing water in the field, including variable rate irrigation. These tools are typically integrated into phone or desktop apps linked to the control panel of the irrigation system.

He suggests all of these technologies should feed into answering the same core questions: What is my soil water balance today, and what will it be if I do — or don’t — irrigate?

Manage Water Like Money

Behind the math and models, Steele’s message is that farmers who manage soil water like their money are better positioned to use irrigation when it delivers the highest return.

By tracking deposits and withdrawals, recognizing that “when” matters as much as “how much,” and understanding how soil and climate shape their account size, growers can head into this season with a clearer picture of where every inch of water is going — and whether it’s truly helping their crop.

Listen to more of Steele and Arnall’s recommendations on The Crop Podcast Show here .

5 Water Trends to Watch in 2026

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 14:46:11 GMT

The “everything old is new again” proverb will be at play in 2026 when it comes to water trends irrigators need to know in the new year.

The Packer sat down with Melissa Lilze — who, as of Jan. 1, became senior vice president of Netafim North America, the top position for Netafim in North America, and the first woman to lead Netafim’s North America division — on the top water trends coming in 2026. Several are long-running themes from years past that will continue to dominate in the new year. Others, however, are new and potentially novel.

No. 1: Water scarcity

This one is nothing new, but Lilze notes smart water management or “digital irrigation” that involves remote sensors, automated irrigation systems and real-time monitoring of conditions such as weather, soil moisture and crop needs — once the purview of highly techy early adopters — is increasingly mainstream in the face of ongoing water scarcity.

“Today it’s more of a necessity,” she says.

This fits with both USDA records and data from The Packer’s 2025 Grower Sustainability Insights .

According to the Census of Agriculture’s most recent few Irrigation and Water Management Surveys, the number of farms and open-field acres under irrigation using drip, trickle or micro-flow sprinklers has grown since 2008, even as farm numbers and open-field acres under irrigation have fallen.

For example, in 2008 , 43,368 farms (14.4% of 2007’s total irrigated farms) reported using these water-saving irrigation systems on 3.76 million acres (6.84% of total irrigated acres in 2008). In 2023 , the numbers had jumped to 60,160 farms (21.14% of 2022’s total irrigated farms) and 6.43 million acres (12.11% of total irrigated acres in 2023).

The Packer’s Sustainability Insights survey responses showed similar grower attention to water conservation efforts. Water efficiency was ranked as the most important sustainability issue by produce growers, and precision irrigation ranked high on the list of sustainability investments growers are making on their operations.

No. 2: Regulations and reporting requirements

Just like water scarcity is nothing new, so too is the mounting regulatory pressure because the two are so closely intertwined.

“[Ongoing water scarcity] just changes what we will see in the next few years with regulation around water use and groundwater use,” Lilze says, pointing to regulation and reporting requirements as a major water theme in 2026.

“We have increasing regulatory pressure in different farming regions. Growers must adapt to allocation limits that they’re given, especially in the western U.S.,” she says. While California and its Sustainable Groundwater Management Act come to mind when it comes to water regulations squeezing produce growers, regulations and their attendant reporting requirements can vary wildly by state, county and even by watershed.

Lilze framed digital irrigation as helpful to irrigators regardless of the regulatory situation they find themselves in because it not only helps with water conservation efforts but documents them at the same time.

“Many times the reason you have regulation is because you don’t have the data to show that you are being conservative with the water and of your resources,” she says. “I absolutely think the more information you have available to prove that you are a steward of the land, which these farmers are, I think the better situation they’re in on the front end of things.”

No. 3: Drip irrigation expanding

Lilze reports the well-known water saving strategy of drip irrigation has been expanding into new crops, something she highlights as a trend to watch. Alfalfa is an example she’s seen with Netafim.

“With an alfalfa, we’ll do an SDI system, which is a subsurface drip irrigation system, meaning we’ll actually bury the drip 10 to 12 inches underground,” she reports. Not only has this resulted in extra cuttings and increased yields, but it has management implications as well.

“You can get into the field quicker after a cutting because we’re not having to flood irrigate,” she says.

No. 4: Return of federal funds

A welcomed “new” trend in 2026 according to Lilze is the return of federal funding for conservation and sustainability improvements, including for water.

“There’s a lot of federal funding, NRCS [National Resources Conservation Service] and EQIP [Environmental Quality Incentives Program] monies, that are available typically every year. In 2025, a lot of that money got put on hold,” she says. “We just received news that the 2026 funding will be available in January, and growers will be able to apply and access those funds for smarter, more efficient irrigation systems.”

On Dec. 15, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service announced it was opening its first funding round of key conservation programs. This includes the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Agricultural Management Assistance, the Conservation Stewardship Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and the new Regenerative Pilot Program .

According to NRCS, growers, farmers and ranchers have until Jan. 15, 2026, to apply for the first batching period. National and State Conservation Innovation Grants will open later in the year.

“We’re really starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel with this funding coming,” Lilze says. “There’s been a lot of farmers that have benefited from this money over the years, and having it frozen last year really prevented a lot of new irrigation systems going in because [growers] need the funding to help with that initial year return.”

No. 5: New or untapped funding sources

In addition to the return of federal funding that can go to conservation irrigation efforts, Lilze points to other, potentially more novel or unexpected sources of funding for water sustainability projects as something irrigators should look for in 2026.

On the one hand, the “partnership economy” around water — basically, applying the carbon credit concept to water — is growing. Lilze pointed to Netafim’s Corporate Partnership Program as an example, explaining that they pair companies with high water usage with area farmers and growers who still use less efficient irrigation like flooding. The company helps fund the grower’s conversion to a drip irrigation system.

“So basically, we’d put in a drip irrigation system, we’d put our automation system out, and we can track water usage over that crop and over time, we can show the amount of water that’s been saved by investing in that drip irrigation system,” she says.

Other precision irrigation or ag tech companies have similar programs, such as Phytech and N-Drip. Though Lilze says Netafim has been “leading the charge” on developing these kinds of partnerships.

“We’ve been successful over the last two years in matching up these companies that have this money set aside for these sustainability practices with the farmers in the region that are trying to be more efficient in their farming.”

Lilze also recommends irrigators look at other, potentially untapped local funding sources for irrigation efficiency improvements such as state, county or watershed organizations.

For example, she notes that Utah’s Department of Agriculture has a fund specifically “to help their growers become more efficient water users.” Utah growers could receive as much as $500,000 in funding for irrigation optimization efforts. Applications for the program open on Jan. 1, 2026 and run through the end of February.

“There’s plenty of state funding moving because they want people to move away from flood to drip and conserve,” Lilze says.

Survey Says: Smart Farming Has Big Impact On U.S. Farms, And There’s Room for More

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 15:27:29 GMT

Smart farming technologies, like smart irrigation and targeted spraying systems, are helping farms reduce water use, burn less fuel and optimize fertilizer and pesticide applications. Those gains have led to a 5% increase in overall crop production in the U.S. in just the last five years.

That’s all according to newly released data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturer’s (AEM) “The Benefits of Precision Ag In The U.S.” report. You can read the full white paper study here .

“The overarching message is precision ag enables farmers to maximize use of their inputs,” says Austin Gellings, senior director of agricultural services, AEM. “We’re maximizing every drop of what we’re putting on our crops and on our soil, and I think that’s a very powerful message.”

Gellings found two specific aspects of the study results most compelling:

(Lori Hays)

U.S. farms have achieved an overall 5% reduction in annual water usage by adopting smart farming technologies like smart irrigation systems and soil moisture sensors. Gellings says the savings equates to about 824,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools worth of fresh water saved. It takes about 5 million standard 16 oz. bottled waters to fill just one Olympic-size swimming pool, he adds.

(Lori Hays)

Farmers who adopt targeted smart spraying application systems, like John Deere’s See & Spray and CNH Industrial’s SenseApply, can reduce America’s overall annual herbicide usage up to 55% if full adoption of the technology is achieved. The study defines full adoption as 90% of the total number of active farms in the U.S.

“We also found potential for an additional 6% increase in annual crop production with higher precision technology adoption rates,” he says. “It’s clear these technologies show almost unlimited potential in reducing inputs while increasing our output.

“[Technology is] a tool in the toolbox that helps our farmers step up to the challenges they face every single day, like they’ve always done. Our farmers always find a way to meet the challenge at hand. They are always going to innovate and find a way.”

The next big thing?

For Gellings, who grew up on the family farm in Wisconsin, daydreaming about the next big technology breakthrough for ag — something truly revolutionary along the lines of how smart spraying has impacted pesticide applications — gets him fired up. He says he can only imagine what his grandfather would say if he knew you could put a camera on a spray boom and only target the weeds as you drove 15 mph through the field.

“In 5 years, will there be a new technology like that, that revolutionizes the way we’re doing things and in a way that we never thought possible? That’s what’s exciting when I think about all the innovation that’s happening in agriculture,” he says. “We’re in this technology boom, and I can almost guarantee there will be another groundbreaking technology that don’t exist today that will come along and fundamentally change the way we farm.”

The updated study findings (the original study data was published back in 2020) were released in collaboration with the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, CropLife America and National Corn Growers Association. Kearney, a global management consulting firm, had a team of project management professionals and subject matter experts to assist AEM in executing the study update.

The full study is available now on AEM’s Insights page at www.aem.org/insights .

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Mexico Probably Won’t Deliver All the Water it Owes

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 14:41:29 GMT

Mexico has two months left to deliver almost 1 million acre-feet of water to the U.S., but all that water probably won’t be coming, according to U.S. experts.

“Barring some kind of tropical system, that’s not going to happen,” says Sonny Hinojosa, current water advocate and former general manager at the Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 2 in San Juan, Texas.

According to the 1944 treaty that governs water sharing between the U.S. and Mexico , Mexico must deliver 1.75 million acre-feet of water from the Rio Grande into Texas every five years. The current cycle ends October 25. As of Aug. 25, it only delivered 747,982 acre-feet , 43% of the total.

“The only thing that can bail Mexico out is a tropical system,” Hinojosa says. “Now, this is a monsoon season in northwest Mexico and west Texas, so we’re still hopeful to get some precipitation, but that still may or may not be enough to get us 100% of the water that we need.”

The deliveries of water from Mexico the the U.S. on the Rio Grande as of Aug. 25, 2025, from the International Boundary and Water Commission.

(Chart from International Boundary and Water Commission)

Hoping for a hurricane

Ideally, Mexico should deliver 350,000 acre-feet of water to the Rio Grande for Texas annually to reach the five-year total of 1.75 million acre-feet. But the 1944 treaty allows deliveries to run on the five-year cycle in the case of extraordinary drought. Mexico has been citing this provision and delivering water later and later in the cycle , often getting into “water debt” by not delivering enough on time.

In the past few cycles, late-cycle hurricanes bumped up deliveries. In the last cycle, which ended on Oct. 24, 2020, Mexico made the total 1.75 million acre-feet in the last days due to a heavy weather event.

The last time Mexico delivered roughly a million-acre feet of water in a couple months — what’s needed now — was at the end of 2010 as a result of Hurricane Alex that hit Mexico in late June.

“That’s the last time our reservoirs were full,” Hinojosa says.

The recent history of water delivery cycles from Mexico to the U.S. on the Rio Grande as recorded by the International Boundary and Water Commission. The mostly-vertical lime green line on the far left of the chart is shows the impact of Hurricane Alex in 2010.

(Chart from the International Boundary and Water Commission)

Alex was a just-in-time hurricane for Texas as well. Hinojosa explains those full reservoirs in late 2010 protected the state’s agriculture while it was deep in drought in 2011 and 2012. But by 2013, the water had again run out.

“It’s horrible to hope for a hurricane, but sometimes it seems to be what we need to get us caught up,” says Troy Allen, general manager of the Delta Lake Irrigation District in Edcouch, Texas.

“We don’t want the devastating ones that kill people,” he adds. “But if we do not get a hurricane this year in the watershed area, it’s going to be very rough come next year.”

Lucas Gregory, associate director and chief science officer of the Texas Water Resources Institute, says the best-case scenario “would be for a system to move pretty far inland and rain up in the mountains, in Chihuahua and the Rio Conchos watershed. That’s upstream of Amistad [International Reservoir], and that’s where the best storage capacity is.”

It’s not just a drought problem

However, there’s far more than drought going on in the situation between Mexico and Texas.

Gregory highlights issues such as growing metro populations on both sides of the Rio Grande and the impacts of climate change as contributing factors.

“But the ability of Mexico to store water in country is improved,” he adds. “They’ve built a lot more reservoirs in more recent history than the U.S. has, so now they can actually hold that water there and use it for themselves.”

Hinojosa says Mexico has built eight reservoirs since the 1944 treaty. Most were built along the Rio Conchos, a major tributary that delivers a lot of water to the Rio Grande — or used to, he says.

“Now they’re capturing it and using all the water for their expanded irrigation,” Gregory adds. “They’re basically irrigating desert with our water.”

Every source The Packer talked to pointed to the expansion of Mexico’s agriculture as a reason the U.S. is not getting the water it’s owed. This is particularly the case in the dry state of Chihuahua, and especially problematic with permanent, water-hungry crops like pecans.

Hinojosa points to the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement as when the problems started.

“It opened the doors for Mexico, mainly Chihuahua, to expand their irrigated agriculture into the desert using water that used to flow into the Rio Grande,” he explains.

“They’re using our water, and I say ‘our water’ because it’s rightfully ours,” he continues. “They’re capturing that water, storing it, using it to grow crops and then bringing them to the U.S. for us. And they’re killing our farmers. They’re killing our market.”

The impact on Texas growers

Since Mexico has only delivered roughly two years’ worth of water over the course of five years, Texas farmers and growers have been in a tough place for a while. Allen explains that his growers have been “on allocation” since April of 2023, while others in neighboring irrigation districts have enforced it since 2022.

“Meaning that they’ve told their farmers they are only going to get X number of irrigations,” he says. He calls the situation unprecedented in his 22 years at the district.

“It’s been very difficult for my farmers,” he adds, saying it is especially “looking pretty scary for the citrus farmers.”

Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of the Texas International Produce Association, says Texas produce growers in particular are going to have to make some tough decisions.

“What it means this coming season is our growers are going to continue to veer away from water-intensive crops,” he says. “They’re not going to put in broccoli. They’re not going to put in celery. They’re probably not going to take a lot of chances on new commodities. They’re going to double down on what they know works.”

Those produce standbys will likely be crops like cabbage, onions, carrots and established citrus like oranges and grapefruit, he says. But the potential loss of produce diversity comes with its own problems.

“The diversity, the variety, the trying new things — that’s what has always helped South Texas be a region that provides commercial volumes of fresh fruits and vegetables,” Galeazzi stresses. But, without assurances about water availability, growers will likely stay in the safe lane, he adds.

“The safe lane is great, but the safe lane isn’t always profitable, and that’s challenging because now you’re coming off of two years where profits have been cut into if there’s even profits. And now, you’re about to go into year three of pretty similar conditions. It’s gut wrenching.”

What’s likely to happen in the next two months

Though Texas probably won’t get the full volume of water owed by Mexico, it will likely get some additional water this cycle. It might even amount to more than the usual annual delivery.

In an agreement signed between the U.S. State Department and Mexico in late April , Mexico pledged to deliver 324,000 to 420,000 acre-feet between the signing and October. That’s roughly a year’s worth of water delivered in five months. These deliveries are on top of the 110,000 acre-feet Mexico had delivered since the start of the current water year that started Oct. 25, 2024 and late April 2025.

If realized, the April agreement will bring the total deliveries for the current water year to 434,000 to 530,000 acre-feet, and the total five-year cycle deliveries between 854,000 and 950,000 acre-feet.

“Mexico has delivered 60.8% of the minimum that they said they would, so they’re on target to deliver this minimum of 324,000 acre feet,” Hinojosa says. “By the time this current cycle ends, it still leaves them with a deficit, but nonetheless, it has brought us some water in in recent history.”

Hinojosa praises the current administration for putting pressure on Mexico to achieve the April agreement that actually seems to be happening.

“I’ve been in this business for 38 years, and I’ve never known Mexico to do anything voluntarily before a cycle ends,” he says. “There’s a lot of pressure being put on Mexico, and that’s why they made these targets of delivering water to the U.S. before this current cycle ends.”

Needs for the future

More pressure is going to be needed to prevent this situation from repeating in the future, sources say.

“[Our administration is] going to have to implement something that puts pressure on Mexico that’s not tied to water,” Allen opines. That might mean tariffs or inclusion into the USMCA renegotiation, but whatever it is, it needs to spur Mexico to make good on their delivery requirements.

“Mexico could have fulfilled and caught up to what they owed us in 2022 because their reservoirs were full. They had a little over 3 million acre-feet in storage, and they still were over a year behind at that point in time,” Allen says. “But they didn’t deliver any of that water to the U.S.”

Hinojosa says a mindset change is needed in Mexico.

“We need Mexico to treat us, the United States, as we treat them on the Colorado River,” he says. The same 1944 treaty that dictate’s Mexico’s water deliveries to the U.S. on the Rio Grande also dictates the U.S.’s deliveries of water to Mexico on the Colorado River.

He says the U.S. takes Mexico’s allocation “off the top” of the available water in the Colorado River, then divides the rest among the seven U.S. states that rely on it. But Mexico does not return the favor, he adds.

“That has to change,” Hinojosa says. “Mexico needs to recognize that the treaty calls for a minimum delivery to United States of 350,000 acre-feet per year — that’s a minimum delivery — and they need to set that water aside and deliver that water to United States.”

Galeazzi also advocates for a mindset change here in the U.S. around not only Texas’ water issues with Mexico, but all of the country’s water issues. He describes the U.S. as having put water infrastructure on the back burner, adding that the country has “hamstrung ourselves” with excessive and burdensome regulations.

“We absolutely need to pressure Mexico,” he says. “But, if we want to prevent this from happening, the other thing we have to do is we — as a region, a state and a country — need to get serious and make some very big investments in the infrastructure of water.”

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Microsoft-Partnered Project Funds Improved Irrigation in CA

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 22:18:29 GMT

In early summer, Kilimo — a Latin America-based climatech company focused on improving agricultural water security — announced it had launched an irrigation improvement project in California’s Central Valley in partnership with Microsoft and Netafim.

According to Kilimo, the farms participating in the new Central Valley project raise forage crops such as winter grass and summer silage corn, wheat and tomatoes. Like previous similar projects with Microsoft in Chile and Mexico, the new project will transition participating farmers currently using flood irrigation to drip irrigation.

“The conversion to drip irrigation is going to be fully financed by us and the corporate partner,” says Jairo Trad, CEO and co-founder of Kilimo. He stresses that this partnership is quite unique: “This is a private stakeholder financing another private stakeholder without the government intervening.”

Based on past results in earlier projects, Kilimo estimates the water savings could approach 50%.

Microsoft’s involvement in the project is part of its commitment to becoming water positive by 2030 . This commitment includes supporting projects that replenish more water than the company consumes.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Kilimo and Netafim to support farmers in saving water in California’s Central Valley,” says Eliza Roberts, water lead at Microsoft, in a news release. “Irrigation conversion is a critical solution that preserves water and supports farmers in combating climate challenges.”

California irrigation ripe for improvement

Trad explains that Microsoft’s partnership on projects like the new Central Valley one is not just corporate responsibility, but pragmatic and proactive.

“Microsoft, like many other tech companies, understands that they have risk tied to water,” he says, giving examples like data centers that need water for cooling or manufacturing companies that use water in their processes. “Most of the water we use is in agriculture, so if you want to invest in reducing water risk, you have to work in the agricultural sector.”

As of 2023, an impressive 4.36 million acres (52.6%) of California’s 7.76 million acres of irrigated cropland were already under some form of drip or similarly efficient irrigation system. Across the country, there were only 6.43 million total acres under such systems, meaning California represented roughly two-thirds of the country’s total.

However, California also used 22.6 million acre feet of irrigation water — over three times that of the next-highest irrigator, Nebraska at 6.8 maf — making it the largest user of irrigation water in the country. It also had 2.95 million acres irrigated via gravity systems, which include various forms of flood irrigation.

Trad positions using flood irrigation is an example of a low-value use of water.

“Water is perpetually undervalued, even in areas where water is extremely scarce like California,” he says. It’s not that agriculture should have to pay more, he adds. “The question is: How can we realign incentives?”

Private-private partnerships

That is what partnerships like this one are trying to do, according to Trad. He describes such efforts as bringing new financing opportunities to farmers to improve their irrigation systems. But to get investments from companies like Microsoft, the water savings that might come from the switch must be measured and well documented. That’s where Kilimo comes in, Trad says.

“We have developed a solution and a set of methodologies that allow us to measure the volumetric water benefits in a way that is scalable, secure, comparable and that allows companies to be sure that the investment they are doing is well used and well measured,” he says.

The value proposition for participating farmers is great, too, he adds.

“They get a fully paid irrigation system,” he summarizes. “What we ask for in return — and this is us, not Microsoft — is access to the data. How much are you irrigating? So, we can prove that you are saving water.”

That and maintenance of the new equipment is an “extremely light” ask, Trad says. He compares it to the strings attached to government financing. He also calls this style of private-private partnership between water users and corporate organizations looking to mitigate their water risk an important growing trend.

“Companies are investing heavily in this,” he says. “This is private stakeholders engaging in reshaping how other private stakeholders are using water because they think that is going to be good for them too. And that’s great! What we need is for more people to do this.”

How Satellite Sourced Data Layers Can Identify Agronomic Issues

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 16:14:05 GMT

Tech company Hydrosat is developing a data platform with satellite sources imagery to provide agronomic insights.

Specifically, it’s aiming to give farmers and growers recommendations on irrigation and water usage for crops.

Its IrriWatch software is available on desktop and a mobile app to give growers an irrigation advisor with data and imagery updated every day. The goal is to advise on when and how much to water.

CEO Pieter Fossel says its proprietary insights are especially helpful where water is scarce or highly regulated. This includes California almond crops.

“We give practical, usable information updated on a daily basis,” he says. “With new imagery and data in the system and launching our proprietary satellite last year, we are now collecting a lot of imagery of the earth in several different spectral bands.”

(Hydrosat)

He says in addition to NDVI, Hydrosat is also collecting thermal layers to identify heat stress or water deficiency. The imagery is provided at a 10 meter per pixel resolution. This is possible with the company’s launch of its VanZyl-1 satellite aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-11 mission.

“Think of NDVI as a lagging indicator, because if the crop is showing a color or density change, the stress has already occurred,” he says. “Whereas with thermal land surface temperatures, that’s a leading indicator one to two weeks before you’ll see the stress show up in the vegetable index.”

Fossel says it’s up to the grower to ground truth the source of the stress, but having the data insight to take action allows growers to identify the filed and the areas of the fields where there are problems.

“Irrigation is at the core of what we do, but our customers do use the products for other things—tracking the growth of biomass, identify stress spots, and more,” he says.
IrriWatch includes evapotranspiration mapping to measure plant water use and help growers fine-tune irrigation strategies.

Pricing for the technology is geographically based and does decrease with the larger number of acres included in the subscription. Past and current customers include agribusiness, agronomic consulting groups, and farmers.

Hydrosat’s business is global, with only 40% of its current customers in the U.S.

“We are just at he beginning of satellite imagery. There are lots of solutions for the global ag market that can based on existing imagery. But if you think beyond NDVI, beyond the publicly available data, there is so much more we can do, especially with thermal and moving from lagging indicators to leading indicators.”

Machinery News: John Deere Retrofit Kit, Grain Bag Baler, Telehandler Line, Alfalfa Tedder

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 18:07:15 GMT

John Deere Offers New Precision Ag Retrofit Kit

John Deere’s new Precision Essentials kit includes the following hardware (pictured left to right): a G5 or G5Plus universal display, StarFire 7500 receiver, and JDLink M or R modem.

(Photo courtesy of John Deere)

John Deere is the releasing a new precision ag hardware kit – Precision Essentials – that it says will help make advanced precision agriculture technologies accessible to farmers, growers and ranchers.

John Deere says the kit enables machine automation and provides customers the opportunity to manage their entire farm with the John Deere Operations Center. Farmers can install the retrofit kit on legacy John Deere equipment and in mixed fleets.

The Precision Essentials kit requires an annual license with four different licensing options available. Deere says the kits can be customized to fit your operation based on crop type or production system – this includes dairy and livestock operations.

For more information, visit your local John Deere dealer or JohnDeere.com

Loftness Releases 12-Foot Grain Bag Baler

Loftness now offers a 12-Foot grain bag baler that mounts to the 3-point hitch of a tractor and rolls up in 9 to 12 feet.

(Photo courtesy of Loftness. )

Loftness now offers a 12-foot grain bag baler that mounts to the three-point hitch of a tractor and rolls up 9 to 12-foot diameter bags up to 500 feet long.

The company says all functions of the 12-foot grain bag baler are hydraulically controlled, control valve levers are conveniently mounted on the unit for superior visibility of the process and an integral bag tensioner helps to keep bales tight.

The 12-foot grain bag baler is based on a 4-inch-by-4-inch steel tube frame for maximum durability. It requires two hydraulic outlets to operate.

For more information, visit Loftness.com or your local Loftness dealer.

Norden Manufacturing’s new alfalfa tedder hits the market

Norden Manufacturing’s all-new AlfaTed tedder implement.

(Photo courtesy of Norden Manufacturing.)

Norden Manufacturing says its AlfaTed implement can help farmers prepare harvested alfalfa for baling while maintaining quality. The new reel-type tedders offer higher working speeds and a reliable and gentle solution compared to typical rotary tedders, the company says.

The reel on the AlfaTed features six bars of teeth and an improved cam system. Its reel design moves the window of opportunity for tedding to later in the alfalfa dry-down cycle and promotes further dry-down with minimal leaf loss.

Visit the Norden Manufacturing booth at the National Farm Machinery Show next week for more information.

T-L Irrigation Celebrates 70 years in Irrigation Systems Business

T-L Irrigation Co. (Hastings, Neb.,) is celebrating its 70th year of supplying irrigation solutions to farmers. The company was founded in 1955 by LeRoy Thom and is still family owned and operated, with David Thom serving as company president. T-L distributes irrigation machinery and products throughout the U.S. and in 87 countries worldwide.

Starting as a supplier of irrigation equipment, the company took its first step into manufacturing with the purchase of an aluminum pipe tube mill to make pipe for gravity irrigation. In 1969 came the first T-L Irrigation pivot — a novel hydrostatic drive-powered pivot in a marketplace flooded by water, hydraulic and electric-drive systems. The technology continues to be the cornerstone of the extensive T-L product lineup.

According to the company, every piece of T-L Irrigation equipment is tested on Thom family farms and must rise to their standards before the company offers it to farmers.

Click here to read more on the company’s history.

Your Next Read: 5 Tips for Bigger Corn and Soybean Yields in 2025

John Deere-Starlink Satellite Service Available Now, New High-Speed Disk Series Debuts

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 15:17:04 GMT

John Deere announced the release of JDLink Boost, a satellite connectivity solution designed to work in fields with little to no cellular coverage, and a new high speed disk tillage solution.

The new JDLink Boost kit supports the partnership between John Deere and Starlink by SpaceX network.

Deere reps say JDLink Boost will benefit farmers operating in fields where cellular coverage is limited or unreliable by providing a secure and faster connection along with real-time access to machine and agronomic data. This improved connectivity enables more timely decision-making regarding irrigation, fertilization, pest control and harvesting.

You can read more about JDLink Boost here. The news release does not detail how the new service will be priced. Reach out to you local John Deere dealer for more information.

New High-Speed Disk Series

John Deere announced a new lineup of high-speed disks, a dual-season tool that it says provides excellent field finish and residue management. It also comes autonomy ready from the factory, Deere says.

(Steve Dolan )

Deere’s new high-speed disk line replaces the largest models from the 2680H series, according to a company press release. Available in widths ranging from 25’ to 45’, Deere says there is a disk size that fits nearly any tractor and farm.

The new high-speed disk line offers improved residue flow, helping reduce plugging in tough tillage conditions such as high field moisture or high residue situations. In the new model, an additional 4” was added between the disk and the finishing basket, which helps provide better overall residue flow.

The high-speed disks come autonomy ready in-base from the factory, and are equipped from the factory with a receiver mast, harnessing, lighting package and TruSet.

Visit your local John Deere dealer or deere.com for information on the full line of tillage equipment.

How To Elevate Irrigation With Artificial Intelligence

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 20:23:27 GMT

Netafim, an international pioneer for subsurface irrigation, has a new offering in its GrowSphere operating system. As Mike Hemman, SVP North America for Netafim explains it’s one tool the company is bringing forward to further refine and improve water efficiency and yields.

For the past 50 years, Netafim has developed and improved its subsurface drip irrigation system.

“We are active in pretty much every agricultural market,” Hemann says. “I’d say the low hanging fruit has always been high value crops. There’s a clear return on investment, and generally many of those crops are grown in water scarce areas. However, we do also have a lot of installations in row crop or more broad acre crops.”

Another area he has seen grown is for fertigation. And in some applications, that has been the driving use case—even above the water component.

“It’s like an IV,” he says. “Subsurface drip irrigation gets installed in those applications because it allows the farmer to deliver the exact amount of fertilizer at the exact right time in the crop cycle to be able to achieve what that crop needs at that time. You don’t have to worry about whether you can get a tractor in the field or not.”

The agronomic advances with subsurface drip have led Netafim to invest in modeling the application. Earlier this year, they announced GrowSphere, an operating system which layers its big data approach to agronomic models tapping artificial intelligence.

“This is an all in one digital farming tool,” he says.

Beyond turning off and on irrigation pumps, from the cloud the system enables fully remote control, and if desired automated system parameters.

Hemann adds that on top of the previous years’ data fed into the agronomic models, the ongoing use of the system with its data collected will be used to further refine future insights.

“You have in-depth information from site specific information that you’ve collected on the field. Now, this runs an algorithm in the background and says, you need to irrigate this much, or for this duration, or on these days depending upon the specific phase of the crop, or it needs this much nitrogen, phosphorus—whatever it may be,” he says.

Learn more in this episode of The Scoop podcast:

Machinery and Tech News: Tractor and Combine Sales Drop, Indigo Ag Creates Seed Box Delivery Device

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 15:30:14 GMT

AEM August 2024 Data: Overall Tractor Sales Down 19%, Combines Drop 20%

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers released its August 2024 U.S. Ag Tractor and Combine Sales Report.

All reported segments of 2WD tractors experienced a drop during the month. Surprisingly, below 40hp tractors had the largest decline at nearly 22% and the 2WD segment overall saw 20% less total sales in August 2024 compared to August 2023. Year-to-date sales for 2024 were down 13% as well.

Four-wheel drive tractor sales actually saw a slight uptick, climbing 5% compared to the same thirty-one day span last year.

Total farm tractor (both 2WD and 4WD machines) and self-propelled combine sales both experienced slightly over 19% decreases in sales last month.

Year-to-date, three segments (2WD and total farm tractors, combines) are currently down double digits. The only segment that saw a small boost year-to-date is 4wd tractors at just over 5%.

Kubota Acquires Specialty Crop Robotics Firm

Kubota North America has acquired Bloomfield Robotics, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based technology startup.

Bloomfield provides a service that monitors the health and performance of specialty crops, one plant at a time, using advanced imaging and artificial intelligence (AI).

Bloomfield’s cameras provide the foundation for its Software as a Service (SaaS) that provides plant-level health and performance assessments for growers of grapes (e.g., wine, table, and juice), blueberries, and other specialty crops. The purpose-built cameras are mounted on tractors and other farm vehicles common to capture detailed plant-level, geo-located images of the entire farm. These images are then translated into crop data.

According to a press release issued by the company, the specialty crop market overall has become a focal point of Kubota’s strategic attention and efforts to shape the future of agriculture.

Fresh Bios: Indigo Ag Launches ‘Clips’ Delivery Device

Indigo Ag has released details on its new CLIPS device, which the company describes as an automatic, hands-free dry powder application system for bulk seed box containers.

Indigo says the small device, which is attached to the side of a bulk seed box container up to 24 months before it is expected to be used, automatically releases Indigo Ag biological products formulated as a dry powder when seed is released during planting.

Learn more at IndigoAg.com/CLIPS

Reinke Manufacturing Invests $12 Million in Factory Robotics

Reinke announced a $12 million investment in the modernization and automation of its manufacturing facilities to produce irrigation systems.

The irrigation tech manufacturer says its latest investment includes implementing advanced robotic technologies and expansion projects to increase production capacity and efficiency at its Deshler facility. The robotic advancements will reportedly streamline Reinke’s production process, reducing production time for many of the parts used in its center pivot irrigation systems.

Reinke says the project is estimated to be completed by the 2025 growing season.

Your Next Read: 5 Ways To Maximize Fertilizer ROI For 2025

CropX, Reinke Team Up on Actual ET Sensors

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 20:03:37 GMT

CropX Technologies announced the launch of Reinke Direct ET™ by CropX, a sensor-based innovation that provides Actual Evapotranspiration (ETa) measurements on a Reinke center pivot irrigation system.

The product is available exclusively through Reinke.

By measuring the amount of water that crops use, Reinke Direct ET gives farmers daily insights into their crop’s water needs, enabling informed irrigation decisions.

CropX is also releasing its Actual ET sensor, a device that can be installed in any field to measure ETa. In combination with a CropX soil sensor as part of the CropX agronomic farm management system, users will have access to accurate water-plant usage and soil water availability metrics.

“Precision agriculture is crucial for modern farming. This collaboration with Reinke Irrigation allows us to deliver solutions that help farmers optimize their water usage. Our new Actual ET devices can ensure pivot and non-pivot growers can access the same level of detail,” said Tomer Tzach, CEO of CropX.

The underlying ET measurement technology was developed by Tule Technologies, which was acquired by CropX in January 2023.

Click here to learn more.

Lindsay Corporation Announces Partnership with Ceres Imaging

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 16:18:13 GMT

Lindsay Corporation, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of irrigation and infrastructure equipment and technology, announced a strategic partnership with Ceres Imaging, an Oakland, Calif., provider of high-resolution imagery analytics with support for precision agriculture.

The Ceres Imaging technology will populate high-resolution images in Lindsay’s industry-leading FieldNET platform, which enhances growers’ ability to remotely monitor, control, analyze and apply irrigation recommendations. The addition of Ceres’ imagery and access to its analytics platform will allow growers to monitor and adjust operations based on key indicators of crop performance such as emergence, canopy density, soil composition, water stress and nitrogen content. These indicators will provide valuable insights into crop health in alignment with Lindsay’s smart pivot innovation roadmap and enhance the ability of growers to choose solutions uniquely tailored to their needs.

The data connection between the FieldNET and Ceres Imaging platforms will be two-way, with Ceres imagery provided and shown in the FieldNET platform. In-depth analytics and recommendations, powered by FieldNET data, will also be accessible within the Ceres Imaging platform. Sharing encrypted data with permission of the grower allows the two platforms to work more efficiently and provide custom recommendations for optimal yield while supporting growers’ sustainable farming practices.

“Lindsay is committed to providing the latest technology to growers to help scale their organization and maximize yields,” said Gustavo Oberto, President of Global Irrigation at Lindsay. “The Ceres Imaging offering is a natural addition to the toolkit we provide growers. We are excited about the work Ceres Imaging is doing with high-resolution thermal imaging and analytics today, especially as it pertains to precision irrigation, and the value this partnership will continue to create for our mutual customers. We know that no two fields, no two operations, no two crops are the same, so we are excited to provide our customers this choice among a suite of imaging options compatible with current and future irrigation innovations”

Ashwin Madgavkar, founder of Ceres Imaging, agreed. “Our passion for agriculture and helping growers maximize their potential is at the root of what we do at Ceres. We see that same passion and drive to create innovative solutions and analytics in Lindsay’s product lineup. We’re excited to partner with them and look forward to continued innovation.”

Current FieldNET customers ready to act on this limited time offer should visit www.ceresimaging.net/fieldnet to learn more or to activate their Ceres account.

AgLaunch and Farm Journal Announce 8 Startups In 2022 Row Crop Challenge

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 15:43:50 GMT

AgLaunch is hosting 8 row crop agtech start-ups solving on-farm issues for the 2022 AgLaunch365 Row Crop Challenge. Up to five teams will be selected to move forward in the AgLaunch365 Accelerator that include on-farm trials with AgLaunch Farmer Network members.

During Row Crop Challenge week, teams will have the opportunity to learn from pitch experts, farmers, other entrepreneurs, investors, AgLaunch mentors, and business leaders. A committee consisting of AgLaunch farmers and investors will make the final decision about which teams will move forward in the AgLaunch365 Accelerator.

Selected teams will participate in a 12-week accelerator with opportunities to showcase at the Farm Journal Top Producer Summit in Nashville, TN and the Mid-South Farm and Gin Show in Memphis, TN. They will also be able to deploy on-farm trials with AgLaunch farmers. During these trials, AgLaunch Farmers work hand-in-hand with start-ups to trial, provide feedback, share data, and ultimately aid in the success of the company.

The eight teams in this years Row Crop Challenge include:

Benanova, Inc: Benanova, Inc. commercializes novel proprietary platform technology for next generation delivery systems of agricultural actives for economical, efficacious, and sustainable crop protection.

Bioverse Labs: Bioverse is a tech company delivering species identification to assist farmers and governments in monitoring insect populations in the field. Bioverse provides a low-cost subscription to a mobile app that can be integrated with IoT sensors designed to monitor population dynamics autonomously and help farmers to reduce crop loss risk, reduce the use of inputs, and manage biological control with precision.

EVOIA, Inc: EVOIA, Inc. is focused on bringing simple solutions inspired by nature to farmers. We bring the ecological benefits of fire to production agriculture in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. Our goal is to be an innovative leader in climate-smart agriculture resulting in a world where the growing population is sustained by profitable growers who use less resources.

Farmpost: Farmpost is an Ag marketplace making the connection between farm owners and farm employees. This service helps hire, track, and manage employment and farm services to make the farm operation more profitable and efficient.

Field Pocket: Field Pocket is a harvest solutions software that organizes, manages, and links ALL harvest paperwork in one easy to use platform. Simply upload photos of documents and the data will be transcribed and linked automatically. Create customizable reports, find lost loads, and know payment is received on ALL bushels.

LiveGro Bio: LiveGrow Bio is a microbial fermentation & formulation company capable of manufacturing microbes into agricultural biopesticides & biostimulants at COGS on par with chemical products & with shelf life of 2+ years at room temperature. Our patented LiveGrow™ technology is a game-changer for biological products commercialization and is the long awaited missing link between all effective spore forming and non-spore forming microorganisms and their successful utilization as highly profitable solutions in every crop market.

Sensegrass: Sensegrass is a Digital Agronomist platform for Soil management. We use a combination of AI-based recommendations and soil sensors to deliver real-time soil health analyses and targeted nutrient management. We help farmers and companies reduce chemical fertilizer use, increase crop yields, and grow more sustainably.

Sentinel Fertigation, Inc: Sentinel Fertigation leverages modern technology to empower precision fertigation through crop monitoring and nitrogen management solutions built especially for farmers who fertigate. Sentinel’s core product, the N-Time software platform, delivers image-based nitrogen application scheduling recommendations shown to increase yield per unit of nitrogen applied by 25% versus current farmer management. Ultimately, Sentinel’s technology helps farmers fertigate for the future through confident management, efficient operations, and sustainable profitability.

Big Ideas Born in the Field

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 04:16:40 GMT

Farmers Upfront

The teams at AgLaunch and AgVentures Alliance are assembling a network of farmers from the Mid-South through the Midwest to link together precommercial startups with farmers who can provide their acres, data and insights.

“We’ve all bought something that after we used it, we discovered it wasn’t near what it was thought to be,” says Johnny Dodson, a Tennessee farmer and adviser to AgLaunch. “That’s everything from the electronic gadgets to seed production — it’s all of the above.”

On his farm, Dodson navigates the balance between product promise and real-world potential.

“I know there are a lot of ideas out there. Agriculture is full of ingenuity. We need to not only kick the tires but have dialogue and build trust,” he says.

In this new model, the incubation process for new ideas is proving there is more than bushels to be gained; it’s equity to be shared.

Entrepreneurs benefit from the feedback farmers share for product development. More than two dozen startups have advanced their ideas in this network. In addition, more than $40 million in investment capital has been raised, and more than 100 jobs have been created.

Gaining traction, this new model puts farmers in the driver’s seat.

“We’re catapulting ideas forward through alignment with the farmer,“ says Pete Nelson, executive director at AgLaunch. He says digital and biological technologies need access to farmers to build, prove and scale.

“Fully invigorating the potential for aligned capital from the farm community will take this to the next level,“ he says.

Bankable ideas

One mechanism specifically designed to help springboard technologies closer to farmers is a 2002 farm bill program called Rural Business Investment Company (RBIC), says Matt McKenna, former USDA senior advisor.

USDA licenses newly formed for-profit entities as RBICs, which then use the equity raised to make venture capital investments mostly in smaller businesses.

“There is so much liquidity in the system, but the difficulty comes with scale,” says McKenna, now a principal at Open Prairie, and a board member at Innova, both USDA-certified RBIC funds. “Most investments in rural America are smaller-sized, and RBICs are a vehicle that allow money to find its way to those investments.”

Since its formation, seven RBICs have raised more than $800 million in private capital, primarily from a group of a dozen Farm Credit banks.

The additional benefit of the technology development taking place on farms is the resulting rural economic development.

“We see our small towns fading away,” says Scott Fullen, Tennessee farmer and AgLaunch network member. “What if we can change that? If we can get some of those technology companies to build in our rural incubation network, it can help everyone.”

Think of it as a circular cycle: startups bring ideas to farmers, farmers help startups develop their products, startups raise money and set up headquarters close to their small-town customers.

It’s that proximity to the end user helping fuel this idea. “The closer you are to the farmer, the more likely your idea will find success,” McKenna says.

Businesses Born On the Farm For the Farm

DIY Irrigation App Saves Time, Labor, Fuel and Stress

Nathan Holmes was sick of waking at 2 a.m. in a cold sweat: had he turned off a particular well pump on his farm. Maybe? Maybe not? Weary of fighting a logistical nightmare, Missouri row-crop farmer Holmes initially created a DIY smartphone remedy solely for his operation, and then partnered with a tech company to take the solution to market. The result is PumpTrakr, a simple and low-cost irrigation app that manages pump locations, activity, fuel, maintenance and more.

Read More at AgWeb.com/PumpTrakr

A Digital Solution for Farm Labor Bottlenecks

Kevin Johansen saw a trend — producers were using social media to find part-time help. As a fifth-generation Missouri producer, he had felt the labor pinch himself. Through a little brainstorming, the idea for a mobile app, AgButler, was born. The mission is simple: connect employers to laborers. Johansen and his team connected with a developer and built a demo in September 2018. Favorable reviews and rankings in ag tech competitions, as well as being awarded a grant help seed their finances and business plan. Now available in app stores, AgButler includes jobs in crop, livestock, transportation and construction industries.

Read More at AgWeb.com/AgButler

Manure Opens Doors for Family Farm to Expand

Get a load of this — manure management provided one family with the opportunity to create a new business. Zimmerman Manufacturing started with the clear goal to use manure nutrients better. Raymond Zimmerman of Cantril, Iowa, created the Contour King Swivel for a way to inject manure faster, smarter and more precisely than products without the attachment. The business started in partnership with a local dealer. Today they have dealers from the Midwest to the East Coast.

Read More at AgWeb.com/ZimmermanManufacturing

To hear AgLaunch experts share how you can leverage data, expertise and acres for new technology, visit AgWeb.com/AgLaunch

Reinke Invests $2.5 Million to Improve Irrigation Production and Product Supply Chain

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 19:24:30 GMT

Reinke Manufacturing has invested $2.5 million in fiberoptic lasers to increase and further improve production and automation in their Deshler, Neb., facility.

“These new lasers will allow our company to not only shorten delivery timelines to growers, but it also enables our manufacturing team to improve the precision production of our parts. Those two factors will help us meet our goal of providing the world’s finest irrigation systems to growers working to improve yield potential while conserving valuable resources,” said Chris Roth, president of Reinke.

The lasers will cut production time on a large number of parts used to assemble Reinke’s precision irrigation systems. After weeks of advanced training for their employees, Reinke is now ready to ship out those parts to growers in more than 40 countries across the globe.

“This new technology in Deshler sets Reinke up to continue to be a leader in the irrigation industry, helping growers here in Nebraska and around the world,” said Anthony Goins, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. “With this $2.5 million investment, Reinke has also strengthened a family-owned business supporting the economy in much of this area of our state and Kansas as well. As Reinke works to attract and keep a good workforce in Nebraska, I think this is a key investment for our region.”

Reinke hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on January 12 to celebrate the advancement and show first-hand how the cutting-edge technology enables Reinke to speed up the delivery of precision irrigation systems and parts to growers around the world.

The GX-F ADVANCED is a 10,000 watt laser from Machinery System with the latest in artificial intelligence and gas reduction technology. The two-dimensional fiber lasers have superior beam-quality consistency for high levels of precision production. The operating system will give Reinke on-site and remote monitoring of the cutting process, allowing the system to continue producing part 24/7. Reinke has taken an additional step towards sustainability by installing its own air filtration system to gather naturally-occurring nitrogen out of the air. Instead of having nitrogen shipped in to assist the laser-cutting process, the system will capture the gas as it’s released and recycle it over and over.

Farming Five Unites Conservation and Profit

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 06:24:08 GMT

Building trust in food begins with empowering farmers through one of the largest and most diverse conservation- and sustainability-focused public-private partnerships in our nation’s history: America’s Conservation Ag Movement. To find the latest news and resources related to the Movement, visit AgWeb.com/ACAM .

“It’s the chicken or the egg. Money drives conservation on my farm, or maybe conservation drives money,” says producer Tommy Young. “It doesn’t really matter to me, because every day, I see irrigation conservation and money working hand-in-hand.”

The challenge of balancing profit and conservation is a consistently mounting consideration for U.S. agriculture, and on many operations, although water is a path for savings and sustainability, growers sometimes leave the vital resource partially unharnessed. However, five operations spread across farm country in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Nebraska highlight transformative irrigation adjustments that target dollar per drop in order to tap profit.

A Skeptic Believes

Tommy Young once dropped a deluge on his furrows—no more. Young is a convert to precision irrigation and a true believer in automated irrigation management. With 7,500 row crop acres watered by 30 pivots, and spread across a 27-mile stretch in northeast Arkansas’ Jackson County, Young knows every ounce of water has to be delivered efficiently across big acreage with minimal resource consumption and maximum yield.

Young , former chair of the Arkansas Corn & Grain Sorghum Board , installed simple moisture sensors, and soaked in major savings. “I spent about $1,500 on sensor sets that cover about 500 acres, and in roughly a year that saves me about $10,000 in irrigation and pumping costs. I’ll have a sensor set in every field next year; that’s how important this is to me.”

“The sensors prolong irrigation and save me. I used to run all week and turn off the pumps on Friday. If the sensors tell me otherwise, I might not start until Thursday and save four days. Maybe I catch a rain on Friday, and save an entire week.”

Co-owner of Young’s Irrigation & Equipment , he placed AgSense Field Commanders on each of his pivots, supplemented by eight Davis weather stations , all monitored via smartphone—a mix of confidence and efficiency. “If needed, I can leave town in the heart of irrigation season, rely on this tech, and know my people at home have things covered.”

“I’m the epitome of a skeptic who now believes in precision irrigation technology. Don’t be afraid of this because the savings are real.”

Drip Dollars

Farming in northeast Alabama’s Cherokee County, Nick McMichen is chairman of the Soil & Water Conservation District , and grows corn, cotton, soybeans and wheat across 3,000 no till, rolling acres. In 2000, McMichen was among the first Alabama producers to try drip irrigation—a decision spurring him to additional drip in the near future.

Initially, McMichen placed a 17-acre pivot corner in drip ($1,200 per acre), laying 14 mil Netafim tape 1’ deep, and quickly followed with an additional 18 acres at 10” deep. Surpassing center pivot ground, drip acreage yields were a shock: 80-plus bu. soybeans, 3.5 bale cotton and near-300 bu. corn.

Presently looking at more corners and low-yield land along creek banks, McMichen is ready to pull the trigger on additional drip acreage, with installation of shallow tape as a lower cost alternative. “Some guys overlook irrigation savings and don’t want to fool with something new to them, but it pays big dividends and is very cost-effective.”

McMichen is currently partnering with Cotton, Inc. and Quail Forever in an effort to square up minimal production areas and bolster wildlife habitat. Stewardship and livelihood are a wedded pair, insists McMichen: “Conservation should be our way of life. It ultimately improves our farms, and it is efficient for our pocketbooks. Overall, irrigation is a great example where guys can save money and improve ground.”

Food Chain Bedrock

With 40 pivots spaced across 6,500 acres of southwest Nebraska (Lincoln, Keith and Perkins counties), Roric Paulman operates in the Republic and Platte river basins on a five-year water allocation, spurring the cornhusker grower to thread the needle on precision irrigation: What does it take to get an economical return and still have enough water to sustain the farm over the long-term?

Over the past two decades, Paulman ran the management gauntlet from hand-probes, evapotranspiration (ET) estimates, mapping, reduced tillage, residue management, cover crops, infiltration rates, basic moisture sensors, high-tech probes, satellite imagery, drones, segment control, speed control and far more—all in an effort to capture a complete story.

Long-term success is dictated by crop-per-drop precision, and today, all of Paulman’s fields are mapped for water-holding capacity, with three weather stations supplying real-time ET data to match crops with soil- and site-specific application prescriptions. Paulman’s irrigation management reveals a remarkable string of adjustments: Five years ago, Paulman , chair of the Nebraska Water Balance Alliance , participated in one-day load control—a 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. commitment. Today, his operation functions on seven days a week of load control. “We haven’t upped our well capacity, but we’re better able to understand the interactions of crop growth stage and exactly how much water is in the soil. Leaps and bounds forward.”

Profit and stewardship are a part of every farming conversation, Paulman explains. “They are at the top of all aspects of an operation, and it’s not always voluntary, but that is the expectation from end-users. We’ve got to have an economic return to invest, and we’ve got to be able to articulate our story every day. As farmers, we’ve got to stay as the trusted part of the food chain.”

Going Big

In the low hills of west-central Alabama’s Pickens County, Dee River Ranch is a 10,000-acre bit of heaven—4,000 acres of corn and soybeans. After implementing a highly successful soil fertility program—tillage out, cover crops in— Annie Dee turned her attention to irrigation in 2011. With dryland corn yields of 150-160 bu. per acre, multiple specialists predicted irrigation might boost yields by roughly 30-plus bushels. Pushing the dismal projections aside, Dee built a 25-acre reservoir to provide water for 310 acres, along with a cattle pond to irrigate an additional 114 acres. Dee’s confidence won the day, and the fields exploded with a 125-bu. increase. (At the time, corn at $7 nearly paid for irrigation costs in one season.)

Buoyed by the results, Dee went bigger. Lindsay Irrigation designed a whole-farm system fed by a 110-acre reservoir built on idle land: Five Watertronics 150-hp pumps (feeding 17 pivots equipped with Growsmart FieldBoss panels and FieldNET controls) with variable frequency drive control technology supply water to 2,800 acres.

As Dee pushed yields to over 300-plus bu. per acre, yet minimized water use with a state-of-the-art irrigation system, the benefits of stewardship were evident, she explains: “No till, minimum till and cover crops have increased our organic matter and reduced erosion. With this, the water holding capacity of the soil increased, soil structure and soil health improved, and yields have increased. Increased water holding capacity allows us to irrigate less and increase our profit while conserving water and power. The better job we do at conservation of our natural resources the more profitable we become.”

A Difference of Dollars

Two Brooks Farm , located between the Tallahatchie and Quiver rivers in the Mississippi Delta’s Tallahatchie County, carried a lengthy list of broken producers until Mike Wagner began working the heavy blue gumbo—13’ to 15’ deep in most spots. In the heart of the Mississippi Flyway, Wagner unleashed an avian army (demolishing stubble and depositing nitrogen) and designed a unique, strategic irrigation system.

Starting in the 1990s and spanning 20-plus years, Wagner went full-bore into ultra-conservation, successfully shaping his operation into a showplace of crop quality, sustainability, market awareness and varietal segregation. Wagner’s farm is precision land formed and half the acreage is on a zero grade. The operation (3,000 acres of rice and soybeans) is a labyrinth of interconnected fields following natural contours.

A Delta rice field can easily drink 2 acre feet (or more) of water, but Wagner pours on a quantity of inches and the difference is dollars: His zero grade fields use 6” of aquifer water and he averages 8.9” across the operation. Additionally, what he pumps, he keeps, stair-stepping water through pipes across several miles of the operation. As a given paddy is drained, water is channeled into an adjoining field, consuming minimal electricity and diesel.

Wagner has taken raw, rough ground and crafted a model conservation farm, striking the seam on a profit-conservation balance. “What began as a cause for economy has transpired into greater benefits as we not only save fuel expense and equipment wear, but more importantly, we save about 80% of the aquifer water we used to pump, sequestering carbon in our soils, scrubbing runoff water with our elevated organic matter levels, and creating a better ecosystem and environment. On my land, conservation translates into profitability.”

Chicken and Egg—and Gravy

All told, Young reiterates the “chicken or the egg” perspective and touts irrigation as a means to enhance stewardship and improve financial footing. “If they are true to themselves, I believe most farmers look at conservation and ask if it can save them money—the hard bottom line. That’s fine; take a look at the economics and consider conservation as the gravy. Or, look directly at conservation and take the economics as gravy. That’s all OK, because when done right, it is a win-win either way.”

For more, see:

Descent Into Hell: Farmer Escapes Corn Tomb Death

Farmer Refuses to Roll, Rips Lid Off IRS Behavior

Rat Hunting with the Dogs of War, Farming’s Greatest Show on Legs

Killing Hogzilla: Hunting a Monster Wild Pig

Frozen Dinosaur: Farmer Finds Huge Alligator Snapping Turtle Under Ice

Breaking Bad: Chasing the Wildest Con Artist in Farming History

The Great Shame: Mississippi Delta 2019 Flood of Hell and High Water

In the Blood: Hunting Deer Antlers with a Legendary Shed Whisperer

Farmer Builds DIY Solution to Stop Grain Bin Deaths

Corn Maverick: Cracking the Mystery of 60-Inch Rows

Blood And Dirt: A Farmer’s 30-Year Fight With The Feds

Against All Odds: Farmer Survives Epic Ordeal

Agriculture’s Darkest Fraud Hidden Under Dirt and Lies

T-L Irrigation Pivot Displayed On White House South Lawn

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 06:17:30 GMT

As part of President Trump’s “Made in America” showcase for 2019, the makers of T-L irrigation pivots were invited to bring an example to the South Lawn of the White House.

The President made a proclamation that July 15, 2019, was Made in America Day and July 14 through July 20, 2019, was Made in America Week.

“I call upon all Americans to pay special tribute to the builders, the ranchers, the crafters, the entrepreneurs, and all those who work with their hands every day to make America great,” President Trump said.

The showcase featured products from all 50 states.

In a news release from T-L, participating was referred to as a “a crowning moment for the Thom family.” Founded in 1955 by LeRoy and Jean Thom in Hastings, Nebraska, T-L is a family business now in its third generation of family involvement.

“We’ll be celebrating 65 years manufacturing irrigation pivots in Nebraska this January. I’ve seen T-L pivots in just about every situation—in corn fields, vegetable fields, irrigating tree crops, with mountains in the background, in other countries—but seeing one with the White House in the background, well that’s pretty much it, isn’t it,” Dave Thom, president of T-L Irrigation Co., said in a news release.

At the event celebrating the showcase, President Trump specifically mentioned T-L Irrigation along with two boat manufacturers also participating:

“Today, I also viewed boats that were proudly displayed by Cobalt Boats from Kansas and Freeman Boatworks from South Carolina, and a farm irrigation system from Nebraska’s T-L Irrigation. I want to thank those three companies. It’s not easy to get these big, beautiful products here, and you get them here,” he said.

The company said John Thom, T-L Irrigation Co. vice president, received the call from the White House 10 days before the event. The company conducted a test assembly at its facility in Nebraska before loading the truck and making the trip across the country to install the pivot on the South Lawn.

You can read about the interaction the T-L team had with the President at the event and more here.

Lindsay’s FieldNet Connects With John Deere Operations Center

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 06:09:18 GMT

Lindsay Corporation’s telemetry tool, FieldNet, is now connected to the John Deere Operations Center. FieldNet is a wireless telemetry tool for remote monitoring and control of irrigation systems, and the technology is compatible with all electric pivot brands. The platform delivers real-time performance updates and alerts. The advanced FieldNet Advisor includes recommendations for irrigation rates and timing.

“We understand the power that comes with the ability to leverage big data,” says Randy Wood, president of Agricultural Irrigation at Lindsay Corporation. “This new connection will help growers who utilize both FieldNet and the John Deere Operations Center platforms to share their data between the two systems to achieve greater operational efficiencies.”

Illustrating the Ogallala Aquifer

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 06:08:44 GMT

The Ogallala Aquifer is the largest groundwater system in North America. It spans nine states and covers 175,000 square miles.

Valley Irrigation to Provide Advanced GPS Guidance for Corners

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 06:14:29 GMT

Valley Irrigation announced improvements to Valley GPS Guidance to providing growers with the latest advancements in competitive GPS corner technology.

Valley GPS Guidance now uses advanced power line carrier (PLC) technology to communicate RTK GPS correction signals. This technology improves the reliability of communication with the corner arm, eliminating the need for radios. Additionally, the built-in terrain compensation provides more accurate steering on steep terrain.

“GPS technology has changed the way people live, and agriculture is no different,” says Troy Long, Valley Irrigation Senior Director of Product Management. “Valley engineers designed Valley GPS Guidance to provide RTK GPS accuracy using a custom-designed solution. This innovation is designed specifically for irrigation machines and will revolutionize the industry standard.”

Valley GPS Guidance offers:

Simplicity – This advanced guidance solution works much like automated steering and tractor guidance.
Accuracy – It maneuvers the corner on a precise, predetermined guidance path.
Consistency – Built-in terrain compensation reduces over-steering on rolling terrain or high ridges, resulting in a straighter and more consistent wheel track for less crop damage.
Reliability – Valley GPS eliminates the need for radios, leveraging PLCs for greater dependability in communication.
Flexibility –With direct connection to the control panel, Valley GPS Guidance can provide highly accurate pivot position for help with end guns, VRI and stop-in-slot.
Compatibility – Valley GPS Guidance is compatible with all Valley control panels and corner models. It also easily retrofits onto an existing Valley corner with John Deere/NavCom or other solutions with multi- or single-frequency GPS guidance.

“These latest enhancements to Valley GPS Guidance are now available to growers on a global basis,” Long says. “In the fourth quarter of 2019, we plan to further enhance Valley GPS Guidance by releasing the second generation of the technology, which will provide a next-level, custom-designed digital antenna. These advancements demonstrate that Valley is the global leader in reliable irrigation technology, and we are looking forward to providing growers with a higher level of accuracy and efficiency to help them maximize their profits.”