Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1084285
9 Almond Irrigation Improvement Continuum meets growers at all levels This spring, ABC released the Almond Irrigation Improvement Continuum, a comprehensive manual of irrigation management and scheduling practices. The Continuum organizes irrigation information into three management levels — 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 — and each covers the following concepts and how to effectively execute and integrate them in orchard management: Measuring irrigation system performance and efficiency, Estimating orchard water requirements based on evapotranspiration, Determining the water applied, Evaluating soil moisture, and Evaluating plant water status. Continuum Level 1.0 (fundamental management) outlines irrigation management practices that are within reach for all California almond growers, while Continuum Level 2.0 (intermediate management) and Level 3.0 (advanced management) address practices at more intensive levels that provide greater benefits to growers. "The Almond Board's Irrigation Continuum is a refreshing change in irrigation manuals," said Tom Devol, director of Grower Services at Jain Irrigation Systems. "Most manuals focus on the plumbing components of the system, whereas the Irrigation Continuum has a heavy focus on understanding crop needs and keeping the system running well. Each chapter takes you through simple steps to make sure you are applying the right amount of water at the right time and how to keep your systems performing at their best." ABC launches "The Irrigation Station" video series in January 2019 The new year will bring a new ABC video series focused on the key concepts and practices in the Irrigation Continuum. "The Irrigation Station" will feature short how-to videos on a variety of irrigation topics and be appropriately timed to conditions and activities in the orchard. The videos will be released monthly on the Almond Board's YouTube channel. "Our goal is to bring the practices in the Continuum to life and demonstrate them to growers," said Spencer Cooper, senior manager of Field Outreach and Education at the Almond Board. "Over time, we'll cover every aspect of irrigation, from the pump station to the emitter." Cooper notes that the videos will be perfect for growers to share with their employees during "tailgate talks." "We'll keep the videos short and relevant because we know growers and their employees are busy." Episodes will be released monthly in the Almond Board of California's e-newsletter, In the Orchard, and will be available on Facebook and ABC's YouTube channel. Stay tuned for more on ABC-funded water research projects and educational opportunities in future issues of How We Grow. Growers can download the Continuum and access other irrigation tools at Almonds.com/Irrigation. "The Almond Board's Irrigation Continuum is a refreshing change in irrigation manuals. Most manuals focus on the plumbing components of the system, whereas the Irrigation Continuum has a heavy focus on understanding crop needs and keeping the system running well." – Tom Devol 1 University of California. UC Drought Management. Feb. 2010. UN FAO. Irrigation and Drainage Paper 66. 2012. Almond Board of California. Almond Almanac 90-94, 00-14.