DRIP IRRIGATION TRIPS, TIPS AND TRAPS BILL COX COXCO A G A AG. AG SERVICES, SERVICES INC IINC

Transcription

1 DRIP IRRIGATION TRIPS, TIPS AND TRAPS BILL COX COXCO AG. SERVICES, INC

2 The way it was versus the way it is

3 CONVERSION RATE TO DRIP IRRIGATION The first drip systems were installed in Growers started with 80 acres each. Not much happened for the next 2-3 years. There was a pretty big learning curve and the neighbors waited and watched By1996 the technology was proven and the push was on Lots of drip acres were added from 1996 through 2006 The EQUIP Program in the farm bill funded a lot of this growth By % of the acres I serviced in the pump areas were watered with drip irrigation In 2008 I looked at over 10,000 acres of drip crops We have grown just about any crop you can think of under drip irrigation

4 WHAT DRIP CAN DO FOR THE FARMER In 1993 average green Chile In 2005 average green Chile yields were 16 tons per acre yields were 33 tons per acre $275 = $ /acre $295 = $ /acre In 1993 we had 3 tractors in the hp range In 1993 we typically left 30% of the land fallow due to water availability. In 2005 we had 1 250hp tractor In 2005 we farmed every acre with the same water we had in 1993.

5 MORE BENEFITS FROM DRIP Drip irrigation allows you to keep the moisture levels at optimum You use a lot less nitrogen with drip and can put it where it needs to be The ground is always dry enough to get a sprayer or harvest equipment through. Fewer cultivation trips Less wind and water erosion Short water supplies go a lot farther with drip Your boots will last a lot longer

6 WHAT DRIP CAN DO FOR THE CONSULTANT Drip irrigation allows you to be an expert It allows you to increase acres without increasing clients It makes your clients money so they can pay you

7 WHAT DRIP CAN DO TO THE CONSULTANT There is a steep learning curve. Each crop is different Each drip system is different Forget everything you think you know about fertility and get ready for an education Drip makes lots of small fields out of one big one Gary Shiflett farmed 12 fields in 1993 In 2005 on the same farm he had 40 fields It takes a lot more time to check drip be sure you charge enough!

8 WHAT DRIP CAN DO TO THE CONSULTANT

9 Typical cropping pattern prior to drip cotton fallow Cotton 1/2 Wheat 1/2 wheat chile fallow

10 2008 crop

11 BE READY TO WRITE, TYPE OR WHATEVER

12 WHAT DRIP CAN DO TO THE CONSULTANT Information must flow both ways You ve got to know what was done and when it was done before you check the fields Herbicide id options are limited it in a diverse cropping system You farm the same beds year after year so you ve got to be careful what you put on them Drip irrigation is not easy! It allows you to be a better farmer but it also forces you to be a better farmer.

13 COMMON MISCONSEPTIONS CROPS DO NOT USE LESS WATER WITH DRIP EXISTING WATER SUPPLIES GO FARTHER WITH DRIP DUE TO THE INCREASE IN EFFICIENCY COTTON CHILE WHEAT 32 MILO (FULL) 24 MILO (SHORT) ONIONS 39 CORN THE CONVERSION TO DRIP IRRIGATION IS NOT EASY THE COST IS CONSIDERABLE, THE LEARNING CURVE IS STEEP AND THE MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS ARE HIGH

14 TIPS GPS is a MUST when installing drip It is harder than you think to keep the beds in the same spot for 10 years Some cultivation practices require you to run close to the tape If you have dirty water, stay away from disk filters! Rock separators and sand media filters fit our area best The ground must be well prepared when installing drip Avoid low spots or excessive slopes It is hard to dissolve clods with drip Design the system for the crop Tape depth Emitter spacing

15 TIPS CHEAP TAPE IS CHEAP TAPE! Any money you save by using cheap tape will be spent trying to correct problems and the yield reductions will be significant

16 The problem Bargain tape

17 The temporary solution

18 The ultimate solution replace the tape

19 TRIPS DISEASE PATTERNS CHANGE WITH DRIP IRRIGATION Prior to drip, verticillium wilt was not much of a problem now it is Prior to drip, phytophthora was a serious problem now it isn t It is very hard to sanitize drip fields so rotation is extremely critical WEED CONTROL IS MUCH MORE CRITICAL AND CHEMICAL OPTIONS ARE LIMITED DUE TO ROTATIONAL RESTRICTIONS RODENTS HAVE BECOME A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN DRIP FIELDS Rats, Rabbits, Gophers and Coyotes find drip irrigated fields are a nice place to live In 2007, we lost up to 25% of our cotton and chile to rodents

20 BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU PUT YOUR FIRST DRIP SYSTEM

21 MAINTENANCE IS IMPORTANT

22 GOPHERS LOVE DRIP TAPE

23 DON T FALL FOR FLASHY ADVERTISEMENTS

24 THE EXPERTS DON T ALWAYS HAVE THE RIGHT ANSWERS

25 IN CONCLUSION DRIP IRRIGATION IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST ADVANCEMENT IN AGRICULTURE IN NEW MEXICO IN THE LAST 35 YEARS.

26 Remember, life is short. Laugh hard, smile often, appreciate the beauty in all things and be thankful for every day you get!