Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1286027
A L M O N D O R C H A R D 2 0 2 5 G O A L S WATER USE 5 types. We had to accommodate our system to fit the existing soil types, without changing our practices, so we could be successful at it." Once growers are looking to design their systems, Martin offers three considerations to ensure the automated system works well for a specific operation: f Decide where to put the valves: Growers can place the valves in the orchard and run wires or radios to them, or put valves at the pump to localize the system. Having the valves in one spot can help to manage the system more efficiently. f Decide how to manage: Once a design for the orchard and irrigation system has been created, growers need to determine how they plan to manage that technology. Martin suggested identifying locations that represent zones in the orchard as a way to manage different areas. f Decide on a scheduling program: Irrigation scheduling – when and how long a grower will irrigate – needs to be determined ahead of time, especially if a grower is using VRI. Longer irrigation durations and lower frequency are best for clay soils, while higher frequency and shorter durations work well for both sand and gravel soils. Smarter water, sweeter savings From the orchard to a grower's bank account, adopting more efficient irrigation practices and implementing automation brings a positive impact on a variety of levels. Ultimately, though, tree health improves greatly when water needs are more accurately met, and Devol pointed out that improved tree health via an automated irrigation system positions growers to have a higher performing orchard. "You're designing an irrigation system that provides specific regions of trees the water they need, rather than approaching irrigation with a one-size-fits-all mentality and guessing how much water the orchard as a whole needs, which is key to your overall success," Devol said. Additionally, automated systems allow growers with orchards in multiple areas an opportunity to control their irrigation remotely, without having to manually manage it in each area. "It changes a grower or irrigator's role from just running irrigation to really monitoring the performance and making decisions based on that performance," Martin said. "It gives them more time to check how the system is doing, rather than running a pump and changing valves. It also takes pressure off the irrigation schedule itself so growers and farm managers are able to stay apprised of how everything is going in the orchard." Growers who worry about frost control can benefit from this technology, as well, by determining their soil's infiltration rate, ensuring the water slowly enters the soil and preventing puddling while keeping a balanced air-to-water ratio. Martin said if growers compare irrigation control in their orchard to managing their home's landscape, it makes sense that having automated capabilities simplifies the entire process. "Think about landscapes at your house on a controller: You set the schedule and it just runs. If you see that it's running a little too much, you back off. If you see that it's going to rain, you back off, or if you see that it's getting too hot you make sure you have the water running. Automating frees up time and makes irrigating simpler." Contact Devol at tdevol@almondboard.com to learn how you can receive a free irrigation system performance evaluation. Download a free copy of ABC's Almond Irrigation Improvement Continuum at Almonds.com/Irrigation. Continued from page 4 When Martin's team faced challenges in the orchard, they implemented a new system that involved using valve control, allowing for more optimized irrigation scheduling and a more productive orchard. "Automated irrigation is the future. Water is expensive and effective irrigation is critical to orchard health and production, so growers should set themselves up to irrigate as efficiently and strategically as possible." — Franz Niederholzer